Related articles: Sciatalgia
Definition
Sciatica is a strong pain radiated along the course of the sciatic nerve; this pain can then extend from the buttock and from the posterior side of the thigh to below the knee. Simply put, it is a pain in the leg that often results from a back problem, at the point of the spine from which the sciatic nerve originates (the last lumbar vertebrae and the first sacral vertebrae). The resulting inflammation of the sciatic nerve causes a burning, stabbing or pungent pain, extended by the buttocks along the lower limb. Sometimes sciatica can be associated with low back pain.
Sciatica often strikes suddenly, for example while lifting a weight by bending incorrectly. In severe cases, pain is accompanied by numbness, tingling and weakness in the affected leg.
The most common causes of sciatica include compression (or injury) of the nerve roots in the lumbar region (also outside the spine, eg pelvis or buttocks), bone irregularities (eg osteoarthritis with osteophytes), narrowing of the vertebral canal ( spinal stenosis) or herniation of an inter-vertebral disc. Sciatica can also occur during pregnancy and due to incorrect postural habits.
Less frequently, sciatica is caused by tumors and metabolic problems.
Possible Causes * of Sciatalgia
- Arthrosis
- Strike of the Witch
- Slipped disc
- myelopathy
- sacroiliitis
- Cauda Equina syndrome
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- spondylolisthesis
- Lumbar Stenosis
- Spinal stenosis
