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Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023
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Top 9 Causes Of Sciatica Nerve Pain - You Need To Know About

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Dr. Manish VaishNeurosurgeon • 29 Years Exp.IFAANS, DNB (Neurosurgery), MBBS
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Sciatica refers to the Nerve pain one experiences due to the irritation or compression of nerve roots contributing to the formation of the Sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the body, running from the lower back, down to the back of each leg. The sciatica nerve pain can occur in the lower back and spread to the hips, buttocks, and leg. Sciatica generally affects one side of the body. There are numerous causes of sciatic nerve pain, we will discuss below:

Top 9 Causes of Sciatica Nerve Pain

  1. Spinal Stenosis: The narrowing of the spinal canal caused by natural wear and tear of the vertebrae (individual bones in the spine protecting underlying nerves) of the spine is known as spinal stenosis. The narrowing may put pressure on the roots, and cause sciatic nerve pain.
  2. Herniated Disc: A disc is made up of cartilage and acts as a cushion between vertebrae, allowing flexibility of the spine. A herniated or slipped disc occurs when a disc is temporarily pushed out of place, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve can lead to pain.
  3. Spondylolisthesis: It is a condition where one of the lower vertebrae slips forward over another. This also causes a collapse of the disc space between both, causing the nerve to get pinched. This may cause sciatica nerve pain.
  4. Piriformis Syndrome: Piriformis is a muscle found deep inside the buttocks, which connects the lower spine to the upper thighbone, running directly over the sciatic nerve. Spasming of this muscle can pressurize the sciatic nerve, triggering symptoms of sciatica.
  5. Sacroilitis: Sacroiliac joints are the place where the lower spine meets the pelvis and inflammation of one or both of these joints causes sacroilitis. This can give rise to symptoms of sciaticaas it causes nerve pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs.
  6. Sciatica Nerve Pain Due to Spinal tumors: Very rarely, tumors growing inside or along the spine may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
  7. Infection or Injury leads to Sciatica Pain: Muscle inflammation, infections, fractures, or any other spinal injury may lead to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve.
  8. Sciatica Pain Due to Pregnancy: Pregnant women may suffer from sciatica nerve pain due to weight gain, expansion of the uterus, or increased fluid retention or other changes occurring in the body, which put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
  9. Other Causes Of Sciatica PainOsteoarthritis and fractures caused by osteoporosis may also affect the sciatic nerve, producing symptoms of the sciatica nerve pain.

Update From Lybrate: Pain is an uncomfortable feeling in the body that is triggered by the nervous system. Buy Pain Relief Products at Lybrate’s Goodkart at a best-assured price.

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