"What is Sciatica?"
The condition termed “sciatica” is a reference made to the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body. It is comprised of several peripheral nerve roots of the lumbar spine.
Sciatica is a broad term used when there is compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve and its associated nerve roots. It presents with radiating leg pain on one or both sides and can traverse along the posterior aspect of the thigh into the lower limb.
Sitting and standing positions will often aggravate the sciatic nerve pain.
Sciatica may present with numbness, tingling, and/or burning pain. A diagnosis of “sciatica” is not a true indicator of any particular condition. It only refers to a condition whereby the sciatic nerve is irritated, but does not exactly specify what is causing the irritation.
Some known causes of sciatica have been a herniated disc, bulging disc, lumbar stenosis, and piriformis syndrome. In order to truly resolve a condition of sciatica, one must seek intervention of the underlying problem and not merely treat the correlating symptoms.
Diagnostic testing can further help to illuminate the exact cause of the sciatic nerve pain. An MRI or CAT scan can help determine what soft tissue structures are damaged if any.
Once the underlying problem can be identified, symptoms of sciatica may be treated with physical therapy, epidural steroids, medication, and surgery.