Sciatic Nerve and Sciatica
A number of physical, chemical, and mechanical factors can affect the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica.
Sciatica is a term used to describe the symptoms of leg pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travel down the low back via the sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Sciatica (sometimes known as radiculopathy) is a description of symptoms, not a diagnosis. A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis can all cause sciatica.
A number of physical, chemical, and mechanical factors can affect the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica.
Learn the six most common sciatica causes and the conditions responsible for sciatica pain. When discussing sciatica it is important to understand the underlying medical cause of the sciatica symptoms.
Explore sciatica treatment options to help relieve or alleviate sciatica pain, including non-surgical methods, pain medications and sciatica surgery.
Medical emergencies can arise when the spinal cord and/or the cauda equina are injured. The symptoms can mimic sciatica and may lead to lower limb dysfunction if left untreated.
Tumors that originate within the spinal cord and its surrounding tissues may cause sciatica-like symptoms and signs.
Learn the typical piriformis syndrome symptoms and how piriformis syndrome is diagnosed.