Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along a nerve path down each leg, and it impacts daily life when it is irritated. This large nerve starts in the lower back, and it travels through your hips and buttocks. The discomfort typically affects only one side. Here is what you need to know about this condition and how it can impact activities in daily life:
Pain That Shoots Down Legs
When the nerve becomes irritated, pain radiates from your lower spine to your buttocks. A sudden cough typically intensifies the discomfort sharply throughout the affected area. The sensation varies widely, and it ranges from a mild ache to a sharp burn. You may feel a sudden jolt resembling a strong electric shock.
Sitting for long periods aggravates the nerve, and standing becomes difficult. You feel constant pressure in the lower lumbar region. Because the pain disrupts sleep, fatigue becomes another challenging symptom to manage during the day. The pain is severe, but it typically resolves with non-operative treatments within weeks.
Weakness in Your Feet
Numbness accompanies the sharp pain in the affected leg or foot. Because the nerve signals are interrupted, walking may require more effort and concentration than usual. Muscle weakness develops, so you struggle to lift your foot or curl your toes. Pain signals travel slowly through the damaged nerve pathway.
Typical symptoms include:
- Numbness in the calf
- Tingling in the toes
- Weakness in the ankle
This condition can typically improve with early intervention and proper care, but it is helpful to address symptoms promptly to avoid potential long-term complications.
Discs in the Spine
While many injuries happen, a herniated disc causes a significant number of sciatica cases. The disc acts as a cushion between the vertebrae in your spine. The soft center pushes out, and it presses against the sensitive nerve roots nearby. This pressure causes inflammation and shooting pain in your leg.
Bone spurs develop on the vertebrae in the spinal column as the body ages. These overgrowths compress the nerves, and they reduce the space available in the spine. Because the opening narrows, the nerve roots have no room to exit the column. Inflammation traps the nerve and triggers intense pain signals.
Degenerative spine disease contributes to sciatica, and it causes discs to wear down over time. While this process is natural, it irritates the nerve root in the lower back region. The vertebrae rub together continuously, causing friction. This friction creates instability, so the body reacts by creating inflammation around the irritated nerve.
Relief From Injections and Therapy
If conservative treatments fail to help, doctors suggest corticosteroid injections for relief. These shots are designed to reduce inflammation around the irritated nerve. Physical therapy builds strength, and this corrects posture to relieve pressure on the spine. Stretching is used to improve flexibility in the lower back.
Get Treated for Sciatica
Ignoring persistent symptoms prolongs the recovery process unnecessarily. Because sciatica impacts your quality of life, you must address the symptoms immediately. Professional guidance prevents chronic issues, so contact a spine specialist today for an evaluation. Start the healing process from sciatica pain with proper care guided by a professional.