Sciatica
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Reviewed By:

Tomohiro Hamahata

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic surgery)

Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.

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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023

About the symptom

Sciatica describes a painful sensation that starts from lower back and travels or shoots down the leg. This pain may travel down the back, outside or the front of the leg and is often described as shooting.

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)

  • Urinary frequency

  • Muscle weakness in the limbs

  • Numbness / sensory disorder

Possible causes

  • osteoporosis

    Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones weak and brittle, resulting in the bone to fracture easily even with minor trauma or stress (for instance, after a simple fall). It may be caused due to long-term low calcium intake, estrogen deficiencies in women, and an inactive lifestyle.

  • Low back pain

    Low back pain is very common, affecting more than 80% of people at least once in their lifetime. It is usually not serious and often resolves on its own but can be frustrating when it interferes with daily life. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, older age, female sex, physically strenuous or sedentary work, stress, and mental health issues. Serious causes can be menstrual problems, injury, slipped disc, nerve disease, spine disease, or joint deformities.

  • Neuropathic pain

    Neuropathic pain is usually caused by an injury, disease, or problem with the somatosensory nervous system. This is a common long-term pain condition that greatly affects a person's quality of life. The nerves in this system are what let us feel things like temperature, pressure, and pain. This type of pain often feels like a burning, tingling, sharp, or stabbing sensation. It can be triggered by light touch or cold, and can be constant or come and go. It can also get worse when resting or at night. Neuropathic pain is often caused by viral infections like post-herpetic neuralgia, cancer, blood vessel abnormalities, alcoholism, diabetes, nerve pressure, nerve damage from surgery or accidents, and neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and shingles.

  • Lumbar spondylosis
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Lumbar vertebrae disk herniation
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • Acute low back pain
  • Vertebral compression fracture

Related serious diseases

  • Hypocalcemia

    Hypocalcemia occurs when blood calcium levels are too low. It's often caused by abnormal levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or vitamin D in the body.

Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom

  • Do you have pain or numbness in your buttocks, back of your thighs, shins, or feet?

  • Do you have a fever?

  • Do you have headaches or does your head feel heavy?

  • Do you feel any weakness in your arms or legs?

  • Are you breathless or having hard time breathing?

Other Related Symptoms

Symptoms from the same body system / part

References

  • Sciatica

    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/

Reviewed By:

Tomohiro Hamahata

Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic surgery)

Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.

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