You have pain in your lower back that radiates down your leg. Sometimes it burns. At other times, your leg feels weak.
These are some of the possible symptoms of sciatica, a common pain condition involving the sciatic nerve, which extends from your lower back to below your knee in each leg. Other symptoms can include:
- Hip pain
- Pain in the buttocks or one leg that worsens while sitting
- Numbness in a leg or foot
- Shooting pains
“Sciatica typically affects one side of the body and often causes pain all the way down the back of the leg,” says Jonathan Carmouche, MD, chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at Carilion Clinic. “Pain may also be felt in the foot.”
For some, sciatica may come and go, while others suffer from progressive or debilitating pain.
Causes of Sciatica
“Sciatica can be caused by many factors,” says Dr. Carmouche. They include:
- A herniated disc pressing on the sciatic nerve
- Irritation of the nerve
- Internal bleeding
- Pregnancy
- Injury
- Infection
- Inflammation
Treating Sciatica
Some cases can be treated with muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or exercise. Yoga, Pilates, and other conditioning exercises may also help strengthen the lower back and prevent injuries that might set the stage for sciatica.
“About 10% of patients require surgery,” notes Dr. Carmouche. “If you have weakness in your legs or feet, or your upper thighs become numb, seek medical care right away.”
If you think you may have sciatica, see your primary care physician. They may be able to treat it before referring you to the appropriate specialist.
