Sciatica - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis And When to See a Doctor?

What is sciatica? Sciatica is a form of localised pain caused by the compression or irritation of one or more of the sciatic nerve's roots. Sciatica is one of the most common causes of back pain, so one needs to be able to recognize the symptoms. Most people who suffer from sciatica experience pain, tingling and numbness in the lower back, buttocks, and leg areas. 

If left undiagnosed or untreated, sciatica pain can continue for a prolonged period and hamper your quality of life to a great extent. Patients require professional medical care to ensure a quick and smooth recovery.

The following part of the article discusses the causes, symptoms, treatments and when to opt for medical help. 

Symptoms of Sciatica 

Some of the most common symptoms that patients with sciatica pain may experience are as follows:

• Chronic pain and muscle spasms on one or both sides of the lower back region. Pain in the hip or posterior is also common.

• A sharp radiating pain in the legs that increases when you are sitting down or standing up.

• A feeling of numbness and weakness in the legs.

• A tingling sensation or 'pins and needles' in the feet, legs and toes.

• In rare cases, there may be a loss of bladder control caused by cauda equina.

In situations where you are experiencing symptoms of sciatica and they continue to persist over a long period, seeing a doctor at the earliest will help soothe your symptoms at a quicker rate.

Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica pain is usually the result of an underlying condition. To treat the pain effectively, the root of the problem needs treatment first.

• The leading cause of sciatica is a lumbar herniated disc. A herniated or slipped disc, occurring mainly in the lower back region, is usually the result of physical exertion, ageing or accidents. It typically applies pressure to the sciatic nerves, causing pain and discomfort.

• Pregnancy may also increase sciatica pain in individuals.

• In some cases, tumours in the lumbar spinal canal cause pressure to build, consequently compressing the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica.

• Accidental injury in the lumbar in the spinal region or sciatic nerve may lead to this condition.

• Many people develop a condition called spondylolisthesis, caused by a vertebra slipping out of alignment. In this case, sciatica may develop from nerve compression due to vertebral slippage.

• Lumbar spinal stenosis, a leading cause of sciatica among older adults, is the narrowing down of the spinal canal in the lower back. When spinal stenosis compresses the sciatic nerve, the patient may experience pain, tingling and numbness.

• A rare condition called cauda equina syndrome, which affects the bundle of nerves at the end of the spinal cord, can cause sciatica. It often results in radiating pain down the legs, accompanied by pain around the anus.

Diagnosing Sciatica

How will your doctor diagnose sciatica? Before starting your sciatic pain treatment, your doctor will begin with a preliminary check-up, where they will inquire about your lifestyle and your medical history. They will conduct physical examinations to see the condition of your spine and calf muscles. They also check how strong they are and whether or not they are functioning in the way they are supposed to.

They will then proceed with more thorough medical screenings. Some of these are mentioned below:

• X-Ray: It will take an image of your bones. It will help the doctor detect any abnormal growth in your spinal region and check for tumours, disc fractures or inflammations.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) Scans: These procedures combined will help get a clearer picture of the bone structure and the soft tissues of your body. It will also help find disc herniation and show whether any portion of the nerve is compressed. 

• Electromyography: This test will help detect how well your sciatic nerves carry electromagnetic impulses.

 Treatments for Sciatica

What are the treatment options for sciatica pain? After the first round of medical check-ups, your doctor may suggest some home remedies. They are as follows:

• Physical Exercise: The doctor may suggest some light stretching, yoga and aerobic exercise routines that may help you relax your hamstrings and your calf muscles and also work to alleviate your pain.

• Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying cold compresses, such as ice packs wrapped in a towel, to the affected area followed by using a heating pad can help ease muscle spasms and discomfort.

• Over-the-counter medications: If your symptoms continue to persist, your doctor may provide additional medications.

• Spinal injections like corticosteroids, given under local anaesthesia, have anti-inflammatory properties. This will help reduce pain and swelling up to a specified degree. Spinal injections are effective for 3 months. 

• Your medical practitioner may also recommend physiotherapy. Here, you will work with a professional physiotherapist to chalk out an exercise routine that will help reduce pressure on the nerves and also help improve your core strength.

• Doctors may also provide prescription medications such as anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants. 

• If your body is not responding to any of the above treatments, the last option is having a surgical procedure.

When to See a Doctor for Sciatica Pain?

If you are experiencing muscle soreness or pain that extends for more than a week, worsening with time, consider visiting a doctor as soon as possible.

Bottom Line

Sciatica pain is a common occurrence, and according to a research report, it affects around 10% to 40% of the population. But with proper at-home care and medical guidance, you can manage your symptoms effectively. 

Early detection helps craft a proper treatment plan. To ensure the testing aspect of your treatment is well taken care of, consider visiting Metropolis Labs. You can get a health check-up as well as select, from a plethora of test profiles available, the option that best suits your medical needs. Visit Metropolis today to schedule a test!