Definition: Pain through any of the sciatic nerve is called Sciatica. It generally affects only one side of the legs. It starts through the course of sciatic nerve like from buttock to leg. Generally it affects one leg at a time. Sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body.
Fig-Sciatic nerve
*Pain is generally due to compression of the sciatic nerve from herniated disc, bone spur or narrowing
of the spine. Patient may also feel numbness in the affected leg.
*The word "Sciatica" is exactly used for pain originated due to injury to the sciatic nerve but now a days any pain started from lower back to the leg is called sciatica.
*Sciatica is a common complaints that people are suffering from. Almost 40% people suffer from it. And its a symptom not the condition.
*Most of the pregnant ladies may get the sciatica during their pregnancy because of hormone which causes loosening of the ligaments resulting unstable spine.And finally chances of slip disc increased.
Fig-Sciatica in pregnant lady
*Anyone between the age group of 30-50 yrs may get the sciatica.
Symptoms:
- Location-Pain starts from the lumbar region of spine & radiates to buttock & down towards the leg. This is the "Hallmark of Sciatica". Sometime pain also radiates to front of the leg.
- Character- There will be an excruciating kind of pain from mild to severe . Sometime patient has burning sensation and sometime its like electric shock.Pain may be sometime constant or comes & goes suddenly.
- Sensation- There is a numbness or tingling sensation in the affected leg.
Trauma/Injury- Any trauma or injury to sciatic nerve may cause the sciatica.
Tumor- Any tumor in the spine especially in lumbar area may compress the sciatic nerve and resulting in sciatica.
- Age- whatever problems you are suffering from, there is always an age related risk factor & same in sciatica too. With the advancement of age, there is narrowing of the spine resulting in bone spur causing the compression to the sciatic nerve resulting in pain.
- Obesity-Obesity is one of leading rick factor behind most of the problem like Hypertension, Diabetes etc. Excess fat due to obesity creates a pressure upon the sciatic nerve resulting in sciatica.
- Occupation-Sometime your occupation may also play a risk factor for sciatica. Occupation like caring heavy loads, making your body twisting frequently may affect your sciatic nerve but it rarely happens.
- Sitting- Sitting for a long time in a position may also affect your sciatic nerve. This is found in slow active people more than in active people.
- Diabetes-with diabetes chances of nerve damage increases & that increases the chances of sciatica.
- Complete benumb condition of the affected leg resulting in Drop Foot.
- Weakness of the affected limb
- Bowel or bladder function hampered
- Straight Leg Raise Test-This is the clinical procedure where you have to lie on the floor straight overr you back on the floor & both legs should be straight. Then slightly raise your leg keep it stretched as maximum as you can, if you feel at certain point then mark that point because that may be the pin point for nerve involvement.
- X-ray- A simple pain x-ray of spine may figure out the bone spur or herniated disc.
- MRI- With this procedure we can see the cross section images of the spine & a details study of bone and soft tissue.
- Electromyography(EMG)-This is the confirmatory diagnosis to find out the narrowing of spine via impulses produces by the nerve & your muscles responses.
- Exercise-Doing regular exercise is the most important preventive measure for sciatica.
- Posture-Sitting posture is also very important to maintain your muscles curve & alignments.
- Cold packs- Cold application over the affected area may relieve your pain. This should be done 3-4 times in a day.
- Hot packs- Sometime hot application may also give some relieve. You can use it as per your comfort.
- Ammonium mur: Severe long continued sciatica, pain in left side, > by slight walking & relieved by lying down . Tearing,stitching & ulcerative pain in heels> by rubbing , < at night in bed.
- Angustura: Boring & laming type of pain along the sciatic nerve on the posterior part of thigh. When stretching , a pressing kind of tension in the anterior muscle of thigh.
- Argentum nitricum: Ischias antica,cramp like pain from hip down to knee, paralytic weakness of limb < mornings but especially after dinner.
- Calcarea carb: Sciatic pain caused by working in water, < from limb hanging down and > by elevating the knees.