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Sciatica is pain caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. It is the largest nerve in the human body – it supplies the foot, shin and back calf muscles. How can you distinguish sciatica from common back pain, and what can cause it?
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1/ 8 Symptoms of sciatica
The most characteristic symptom of sciatica is, of course, pain. It is located in the lower back and can radiate to the hip and buttock. The ailment affects only one side and may worsen when sitting down. A leg supplied by a pinched nerve may become numb. Sometimes there are difficulties with its movement and tingling or itching. These symptoms may last for several days.
2/ 8 Not only the back
As many as 85 percent of people experience some type of back pain from time to time. This makes it sometimes difficult to tell if it’s just a temporary overload of the spine or pressure on a nerve. What distinguishes tears is the radiation of pain to the buttock, and sometimes even to the foot. These types of complaints do not arise where the cause of the pain is different.
3/ 8 Risk group
People between the ages of 30 and 50 usually suffer from sciatica. It very often develops in pregnant women because the enlarging uterus can put pressure on the nerves that come out of the spine.
4/ 8 Pear-shaped muscle syndrome
It accounts for about 15 percent of all sciatica cases. This is a condition in which the sciatic nerve is misplaced – instead of being under the pear-shaped muscle, it runs through it. Muscle spasms can put pressure on the nerve.
5/8 Dyskopathia
Often the cause of sciatica development is also a discopathy. It is a condition in which the intervertebral disc is displaced or deformed. The displaced disc can compress the nerves, which directly leads to the development of a tear.
6/ 8 Thick wallet
It may seem absurd, but sciatica can also be caused by a thick, hard wallet carried in your back pocket. There are known cases in which, when sitting down, it led to regular compression of the shallow nerve. This resulted in its slow, systematic damage.
7/ 8 Diagnostics necessary
The first step in diagnosis is, of course, a visit to the doctor. Sciatica is not something to be taken lightly, although it may disappear on its own after a few days, it is often indicative of a more serious condition. If the doctor deems it necessary, he will order diagnostic imaging tests.
8/ 8 Treatment
Rest and symptomatic treatment, i.e. the use of painkillers, is often enough. In some cases, however, rehabilitation is necessary. In extreme situations, surgical intervention is needed.