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Overview
Sciatica is a condition where there is a lower back pain and this is accompanied with pain though the buttock and one leg. The pain in the leg goes past the knees and further down to the foot. This pain can also cause weakness in the leg muscles. | |
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Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica
The most common and well known symptom of Sciatica is pain. The pain is deep and severe and begins from the lower end on one side of the back and then proceeds down the buttock. The pain further moves down the leg and causes pain with certain type of movements. It is also known to cause hip pain. Patients suffering from Sciatica may also observe pain and numbness along with weakness in the muscles of the leg. The pain is so unbearable that the patient is unable to move their foot. | |
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Introduction
Pain in the lower back accompanied by pain in the buttock and one leg is known as Sciatica. The Sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in the body. They extend from the spinal cord in the lower back and move down the buttock, the back of the leg and the foot.
Sciatica can be differentiated from other back pain because the while the pain begins in the back it moves downwards towards one lower extremity. The pain is mostly sharp and shooting type. The pain can vary from being mildly annoying to unbearable pain. Some people may also experience numbness in the leg as well as pain. | |
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Causes of Sciatica
Irritation of the Sciatic nerve causes Sciatica; there is no specific injury that causes the onset of Sciatica. There are a number of causes which cause Sciatica, however, the most common cause of this condition is a herniated disc which is also known as slipped disc. The discs play an important role and act as shock absorbers when we bend and move.
Another common cause of Sciatica is spinal stenosis where the canal carrying the spinal cord is narrowed and thus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Spondylolisthesis is a condition where the one backbone has slipped over another one resulting in pressure on the sciatic nerve and hence causing Sciatica. The Piriformis syndrome is also responsible for causing Sciatica. In this the sciatic nerve is trapped by the piriformis muscle.
The other causes of Sciatica could be due to aging, pregnancy and osteoporosis. | |
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Diagnosis of Sciatica
The diagnosis of Sciatica is done based on the signs and symptoms and medical history of the patient by the doctor. If the pain has been persistent since a long time the condition maybe diagnosed by a CT scans or MRI scans. If the patient has had a history of cancer or has been taking steroids or is on IV drug use a bone scan maybe requested. | |
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Treatment of Sciatica
Treatment for Sciatica mainly comprises of use of medication which will help reduce the pain. However, the medication may not provide total relief from the problem. The patient is recommended to have proper rest as well as stay active. In cases where the condition is severe surgery is suggested. Most often surgery is the last resort that doctors suggest when no medication seems to show effect. | |