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

  • Low back pain

    Low back pain is very common. More than 80% of people have at least one episode of low back pain during their lifetime. Back pain is usually not serious and most often resolves on its own, but can be frustrating when pain 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 include menstrual problems, injury, slipped disc, nerve disease, spine disease, joint deformities etc.

  • Neuropathic pain

    Neuropathic pain is a type of pain caused by nerve damage or a problem with the nervous system. it's characterized by burning, tingling, sharp, or stabbing pain (even if touched gently) which can be continuous or intermittent (comes and goes) and worse at rest or night. Common causes of neuropathic pain include viral infections, cancer, vascular malformations, alcoholism, diabetes nerve pressure or nerve damage after surgery or trauma, neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

  • Piriformis syndrome

    The sciatic nerve is responsible for control and sensation of the legs. Occasionally, it can be compressed by the Piriformis muscle in the buttocks, causing symptoms that are often identical to and may be mistaken for a slipped disc.

  • Lumbar vertebrae disk herniation
  • Acute low back pain
  • Vertebral compression fracture
  • Spinal cord tumor
  • Spinal canal stenosis . spondylolisthesis
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis

Related serious diseases

  • Hypocalcemia

    Hypocalcemia occurs when the levels of calcium in the blood 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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