This condition is an irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the lumbar spine. Because these nerves travel to the hips, buttocks, legs and feet, an injury in the lumbar spine can cause symptoms in these areas. Sciatica may result from a variety of problems with the bones and tissues of the lumbar spinal column.
Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is not considered a medical condition as many people believe; it is a term used to describe the various symptoms that can occur when a patient experiences a serious medical low back condition. Some of the symptoms are shooting pain, numbness, and tingling.
Sciatica may also be the result of a more serious condition such as a bulging disc, DDD, herniated disc, pregnancy, piriformis syndrome, a spinal infection, spinal stenosis, a tumor in the spine, or spondylolisthesis.
What are the most common symptoms?
When experiencing Sciatica some of the most common symptoms are:
- Pain running from the lower back through the buttocks all the way down to the legs
- Burning, numbness and tingling in your legs
- Shooting pain (often described as electricity shooting down the legs)
- Difficulty in walking, standing or even sitting. When it is severe, it becomes impossible to perform daily activities.
- Difficulty in sneezing and coughing (both can feel very painful)
- Pain worsens and affects everyday life activities
- Experiencing loss of bowel or bladder control
How is sciatica caused?
The pain is caused by the pressure that the sciatic nerve receives from the multiple conditions that affect the spine. It is called lumbar radiculopathy (lumbago) because it usually appears in the lower back or hip or buttock - the lumbar spine.
