It refers to the pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. It may occur due to compression or inflammation.
Sciatica is the pain that radiates along the path of sciatic nerve, from lower back down to your leg. Sciatica is usually unilateral. Sciatica can develop with any condition that compresses part of a nerve such as: herniated disc, bone spur, narrowing of spine. This leads to inflammation, severe pain and numbness in affected leg. This can even lead to bowel and bladder control loss. Risk factors include: old age, obesity, occupation (builders), prolonged sitting and diabetes (weakens bones). The condition can be prevented by regular exercise, maintaining proper posture, good diet. Diagnosis revolves mainly on clinical examination, x-ray, MRI, CT-scan and EMG. Treatment is usually cause oriented like pain relief such as narcotics, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, anti-depressants, steroid injections, physiotherapy and surgery.
