Undoubtedly, sciatica, or the pain produced by the involvement of the sciatic nerve, is one of the most disabling. It is usually described as a moderate to severe pain in the upper buttock and the right or left lower limb, accompanied by numbness, tingling, burning sensation, among other symptoms.
The pain presented by each patient depends on the specific origin of it, which may change according to the affection of the different sciatic nerve roots.
When the origin is at L3-L4, the pain may appear in the medial lower leg and foot. A little lower, when the L4-L5 segment is affected, the symptoms reach the toes. Whereas if the last nerve roots are affected, i.e. L5-S3, the symptoms extend to the sides of the foot and may result in difficulty walking on tiptoe or lifting the heel.
As for its causes, it is mainly the compression of the sciatic nerve that produces all the symptoms. What changes is the condition that leads to this compression:
- A disc disease, either a bulging or herniated disc, can increase the pressure produced on one of the sciatic nerve roots, as well as irritate and inflame it.
- In the elderly, lumbar spinal stenosis is one of the main causes of sciatica. It is due to the reduction of the space through which the bone marrow and spinal nerves pass, usually due to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. When there is compression at the lumbosacral level, the sciatic nerve roots can be compressed.
- Spondylolisthesis, or the slippage of a vertebra forward, can also produce spinal compression.
- Trauma such as falls, car accidents, sports accidents, among others, can affect the anatomy at this level.
- Affection of the piriformis muscle leads to a syndrome with the same name. This muscle is located in the lowest part of the spine and above the sciatic nerve. Spasms at this level could affect the sciatic nerve.
- Benign or malignant tumor processes that develop at lumbosacral levels may act as space-occupying lesions, compressing the nerve and inflaming it.
By scheduling an appointment over at Space City Pain Specialists, we can make you return to your daily activities in the shortest possible time thanks to the help of experts such as Dr. Jeffery Cannella and the application of preventative and regenerative care techniques, providing you all the tools that your body needs to heal and be capable of face everything in its way.
For more information, contact us at 281-338-4443 or schedule an appointment at https://spacecitypain.com/contact-us/ and you will receive the proper attention your case requires. Our team of experts located in the city of Webster will be available during working hours to answer all your inquiries and support you in your path to wellness.
