Sciatica is more popularly known as the radiating pain down your leg. The discomfort or pain is unique because it follows the path of the sciatic nerve, which originates from the lower back and branches out to the hip, buttocks, and down each leg.
Sciatica typically arises when excessive pressure is placed on a nerve due to either a herniated disk or an abnormal bone growth. This leads to an inflammatory response, causing pain and often resulting in partial loss of sensation in the affected leg.
Sciatica is of two types, and irrespective of the kind that affects you, the effects remain the same. The condition is classified as:
- True Sciatica is a condition that occurs due to an injury that affects the sciatic nerve.
- Sciatica-like conditions are similar to Sciatica but occur due to issues in the sciatica or other nerves.
Sciatica represents a more serious issue than just back pain. It indicates that your nerves are either compressed or irritated. While sciatica pain can be pretty intense, most cases can be effectively resolved within a few weeks with appropriate treatment.
An early investigation into the cause and initiation of treatment is of utmost importance in these cases. If neglected, Sciatica can cause permanent damage to the nerves. People with severe Sciatica, leg weakness, and bowel or bladder changes may require surgery.