Understanding the Symptoms of Sciatica
Do you ever wonder what the pain radiating down your spine to your buttocks might be? It’s possible that it’s Sciatica. Sciatica can cause some people severe pain and can even be debilitating. For others, sciatica might be irritating and infrequent. However, it does have the potential to get worse as time goes on.
What Causes Sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a lumbar disc herniation pressing on the nerve but any irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve can create sciatica symptoms. Other causes of sciatica can include:
- Pregnancy
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
How Can I Tell if I Have Sciatica?
While Sciatica may affect people differently, the following are the most common symptoms:
- Pain that radiates from your lower spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg.
- Though a person does experience back pain, the leg pain is more severe
- Pain that worsens when standing or sitting, but improves when lying down or resting
- “Pins and Needles” sensation in the leg
- Numbness and tingling in the leg
Diagnosing Sciatica
Sciatica can be diagnosed by a physical exam and an imaging test from the spine specialists here at OrthoNY. During a physical exam, we will do things such as check muscle strength and reflexes. If your sciatica is being caused by a herniated disc or bone spur, a doctor might suggest an imaging test, such as an X-ray, MRI, CT Scan or EMG.
Treatments for Sciatica in Albany, NY
Treatments for sciatica may include medications, physical therapy, injections, and surgery.
Think Sciatica might be affecting you? Contact OrthoNY! Call (518) 489-2663 to be seen by a member of the OrthoNY spine team.
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