When Pain Travels From Your Back Into Your Leg
Sciatica can make sitting, standing, walking and even sleeping uncomfortable. The pain may begin in the lower back or buttock and travel down the back of the leg.
At ECPC Pain Specialists, our interventional pain specialists can evaluate whether your symptoms are related to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve and determine which treatment options may be appropriate.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica describes symptoms involving the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body.
The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back and travels through the buttocks and down each leg. When this nerve or the nerve roots that form it become irritated or compressed, pain and other symptoms may travel along its path.
Sciatica is generally a symptom of another underlying problem rather than a condition by itself.
What Causes Sciatica?
Common causes include:
- Herniated or ruptured discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Bone spurs
- Other changes that narrow the spaces where spinal nerves travel
What Does Sciatica Feel Like?
Sciatica may cause:
- Pain in the lower back or buttock
- Pain traveling down the leg
- Burning or electric-like pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Symptoms that worsen with certain positions or activities
Sciatica most often affects one side of the body.
Sciatica vs. Radiculopathy
The terms sciatica and radiculopathy are sometimes used interchangeably, but they aren’t exactly the same.
Radiculopathy refers more broadly to symptoms caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root. Sciatica specifically describes symptoms involving the sciatic nerve and its distribution into the leg.
How Is Sciatica Diagnosed?
Your physician will review your symptoms and perform a physical examination. Your medical history and the pattern of your symptoms can provide important clues about which nerve may be involved.
Imaging such as an MRI may be recommended when appropriate, particularly when symptoms persist, are severe or suggest an underlying structural problem.
Treatment for Sciatica
Many episodes of sciatica improve with conservative treatment. When symptoms persist or are significantly affecting your quality of life, additional treatment may be considered.
Depending on the underlying cause, treatment may include:
- Physical therapy
- Activity modification
- Medication
- Epidural steroid injections
- Selective nerve-root blocks
- Other interventional treatments
- Spinal cord stimulation for selected chronic nerve pain conditions
The most appropriate treatment depends on why you are experiencing sciatica.
When Should I Seek Care?
You should have your symptoms evaluated if your pain is severe, persists beyond the expected recovery period, keeps returning or is interfering with your normal activities.
New or progressive weakness, significant numbness or changes in bowel or bladder function require prompt medical evaluation.
Take the Next Step
Don’t let leg pain keep you from the activities you enjoy.
Contact ECPC Pain Specialists to schedule an evaluation for sciatica and learn about your treatment options.