Sciatica Pain - Causes And Symptoms!

Sciatica is defined as pain or discomfort associated with the sciatic nerve which runs from the lower back, down the back of the legs to the feet. It most commonly occurs in adults aged 20 to 60 years. It is estimated that up to 40% of the new zealand population will experience sciatica at some point in their lives.

Causes

The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body. It originates in the lower spine, branches into the pelvis, then travels through the buttocks, down the back of the legs and branches into the lower legs and feet. Sciatic pain occurs when there is pressure on, or damage to, the sciatic nerve.
 
The most common cause of sciatica is disc prolapse (also known as disc herniation or slipped disc). This occurs when one of the soft, gel-filled discs between the vertebrae of the spine bulges or ruptures, compressing and/or irritating the sciatic nerve. 
Muscle spasms can also cause sciatica by compressing the sciatic nerve as it travels through the muscles. One such condition is piriformis syndrome, where the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve. Other less common causes of sciatica include:

• Infection
• Tumours

In older age groups, sciatica commonly occurs as the result of conditions caused by spinal degeneration, such as spinal stenosis. This is where the pathways through which the sciatic nerve travels are narrowed. Again, this causes compression and/or irritation of the sciatic nerve. 

Factors that increase the likelihood of developing sciatica include.

• Age
• Pregnancy
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Jobs that involve twisting of the back or carrying heavy loads
• Sitting for long periods.

Essentially, any injury or process which causes compression of the sciatic nerve can cause sciatic pain. In many cases however, no specific cause for the sciatic pain can be identified.

Signs and symptoms.

• The pain caused by sciatica can range from being mild to very severe. It can occur suddenly or have a gradual onset. Sciatic pain is commonly described as a cramp-like pain that can be burning or sharp in nature. It may be associated with sensations such as pins and needles, tingling, numbness and weakness.
• Sciatic pain is typically felt in the lower back and hip and radiates down the back of one leg. The characteristic that distinguishes it from other types of back pain is that the pain travels below the knee. The pain may be aggravated by specific actions, such as sneezing, coughing, lifting or sitting.
• Pain and symptoms are usually most severe in the early stages of the condition, when compression and inflammation of the sciatic nerve are at their greatest. It is common for the pain to gradually reduce after this time until it resolves completely - usually within four to eight weeks.
• In rare cases compression of the sciatic nerve can be so severe that there is progressive weakness in the legs and/or loss of bowel and bladder function. If these symptoms are experienced, medical attention should be sought immediately as they can signal severe nerve damage.