Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, is compressed or irritated. This condition often results in sharp, radiating pain from the lower back down through the leg, sometimes extending all the way to the foot. Mr. Irfan Malik provide specialized care to manage and alleviate sciatica, ensuring that each patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their needs.

Symptoms

Sciatica can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the degree of nerve compression. These symptoms may include:

• Sharp or shooting pain: This typically begins in the lower back and travels down through the buttock and leg. It may feel like an electric shock.
• Radiating pain: Pain that moves from the lower back into the leg, often on just one side.
• Numbness or tingling: A “pins and needles” sensation, often experienced in the leg or foot.
• Muscle weakness: Weakness in the leg or foot due to nerve compression.
• Difficulty standing or walking: Pain can worsen when sitting, standing, or performing certain movements, making it difficult to maintain normal activity.
• Pain that worsens with movement: Certain activities, like bending or twisting, can increase the intensity of the pain.

When to See a Consultant

It’s important to seek medical attention for sciatica if you experience:

• Severe or worsening pain: If your pain becomes more intense over time or does not improve with rest or self-care.
• Weakness or numbness: Loss of strength or sensation in the leg or foot may indicate significant nerve compression.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control: This could signal a serious condition, such as cauda equina syndrome, and requires immediate medical attention.
• Pain following an injury: If sciatica develops after a fall, accident, or trauma to the lower back, it is important to get a professional evaluation.
• Symptoms that last more than a few weeks: If the pain persists for more than a few weeks despite conservative treatments, it's advisable to seek medical guidance.

Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica results from the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can have several causes, including:

• Herniated or bulging discs: When a disc in the spine herniates or bulges, it can press on the sciatic nerve.
• Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve.
• Degenerative disc disease: Wear and tear on the discs between the vertebrae can irritate or compress the nerve.
• Spondylolisthesis: When one vertebra slips forward over another, it can pinch the sciatic nerve.
• Piriformis syndrome: The piriformis muscle, located in the buttocks, can sometimes irritate the sciatic nerve.
• Injury or trauma: Falls or other injuries to the lower back can damage the structures around the sciatic nerve.