Sciatica (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==What are the symptoms of Sciatica?== | ==What are the symptoms of Sciatica?== | ||
Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move. | |||
The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The sensations may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot. The affected leg may feel weak. | |||
The pain often starts slowly. Sciatica pain may get worse: | |||
* After standing or sitting | |||
* At night | |||
* When sneezing, coughing, or laughing | |||
* When bending backwards or walking more than a few yards, especially if caused by [[spinal stenosis]] | |||
==What are the causes of Sciatica?== | ==What are the causes of Sciatica?== |
Revision as of 12:54, 10 June 2010
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What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve, a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. It controls muscles in the back of your knee and lower leg and provides feeling to the back of your thigh, part of your lower leg and the sole of your foot. When you have sciatica, you have pain, weakness, numbness or tingling. It can start in the lower back and extend down your leg to your calf, foot, or even your toes. It's usually on only one side of your body.It is caused by injury to or compression of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a symptom of another medical problem, not a medical condition on its own.
What are the symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move.
The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The sensations may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot. The affected leg may feel weak.
The pain often starts slowly. Sciatica pain may get worse:
- After standing or sitting
- At night
- When sneezing, coughing, or laughing
- When bending backwards or walking more than a few yards, especially if caused by spinal stenosis
What are the causes of Sciatica?
Who is at risk for Sciatica?
How to know you have Sciatica?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Sciatica
Directions to Hospitals Treating Sciatica