Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Sciatica
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Sciatica

• Sciatica is the name given to pain that occurs
  along the sciatic nerve and spread down to one or
  both legs from the lower back. The sciatic nerve
  is the most extensive and broad nerve in the
  human body. It passes from the lower back,
  through the buttocks, and down the legs ending
  just below the skin. The irritation in sciatic
  nerve leads to pain in lower back, which may
  extend up to the knees. There are mainly two
  types of sciatica pain Acute Sciatica and
  Chronic Sciatica. Acute or short-term sciatica
  pain usually lasts for 4-8 weeks and can be
  managed at home there is no requirement of
  medical help. One can use hot and cold packs and
  do regular exercise to reduce the symptoms
  related to acute sciatica. Chronic or long-term
  sciatica pain usually last for more than 8 weeks
  and may require professional medical treatment.

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Causes of Sciatica

• The most common cause of sciatica is irritation
  in the sciatic nerve, which often results in the
  herniated disk (slipped disk). Some of the
  factors that cause irritation in the sciatic
  nerve are 
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Excessive pressure on back or buttocks
• Spondylolisthesis
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Infection or injury within the spine
• Old age
• Physical inactivity

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Symptoms

• The pain due to sciatica generally occurs in one
  side of the lower body. Common symptoms of
  sciatica are 
• Pain in the buttocks
• Lower Back pain
• Restricted leg movement
• Extreme weakness
• Pain that increase with standing and walking
• Burning sensation down the leg

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Diagnosis of Sciatica

• After examining a patients medical history and
  conducting physical exam, an orthopaedic will
  order a diagnostic test. Diagnostic tests for
  sciatica may include imaging tests such
  as X-rays or Magnetic Resource Imaging (MRI).
  These diagnostic tests will provide the doctor
  with detailed view of compressed sciatic nerve,
  which will help in the treatment of sciatica.

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Treatments

• The treatment of sciatica depends on the type of
  symptoms. Acute Sciatica can be treated at home
  using hot and cold packs, yoga, and other
  exercise such as walking and stretching. Chronic
  Sciatica Treatment includes 
• Anti-inflammatory drugs such as codeine,
  amitripyline, and gabapentin can help in the
  reduction of pain and inflammation due to
  Sciatica. However, these medicines should be
  taken under medical supervision.
• Chiropractic treatment and physiotherapy involves
  various exercises and electrical stimulation
  techniques that can provide relief from severe
  pain, improves flexibility, strengthen back
  muscles and alleviates pressure on the nerves.

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