Sciatica is a fancy name for the pain that runs from the buttocks down the back of the leg.
It is caused by a pinched nerve.
The sciatic nerve is about an inch long and is situated in the buttocks.
It is made of several spinal nerves.
The sciatic nerve controls the muscles that run along the back of the knee as well as the lower leg.
It provides sensation to the back of the thigh, the sole of the foot and the lower leg.
Sciatica is not necessarily a problem with the sciatic nerve per se, rather it is caused by the nerve being pinched by some underlying causes such as a bone spur or a herniated disc.
Problems due to the sciatic nerve being pinched are often diagnosed as "radiculopathy.
" This means that a disc has protruded from its normal position and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve that connects with the sciatic nerve.
This gives rise to the name sciatica.
Direct trauma, pressure on the nerve from other adjacent body structures and prolonged external pressure on the nerve can cause this pain.
If the nerve passes through a narrow structure, the pressure on it can cause sciatica.
The damage slows down the transmission of impulses through the nerve and results in pain.
Diabetes and other systemic diseases typically damage many different nerves, including the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve can also be damaged due to pressure from tumors or abscesses, or even bleeding in the pelvic region.
Symptoms of Sciatica Some common symptoms of sciatica include numbness, changes in sensation, burning, tingling, and pain in the buttock region.
The protruding disc may also pinch the nerves running down the back of the legs, calf and the sole of the foot causing pain.
It also manifests as weakness in the knees, legs and feet.
In more severe cases, loss of mobility is also indicated.
Treatment Traditionally, open back surgery was the treatment procedure for sciatica.
But open spine surgery is a very invasive procedure and brings with it its own complications.
But now, using minimally invasive laser spine surgery, the problem caused by the protruding disc can be corrected.
Foraminotomy, Laminotomy or Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy can be effectively used to treat the problem.
It is caused by a pinched nerve.
The sciatic nerve is about an inch long and is situated in the buttocks.
It is made of several spinal nerves.
The sciatic nerve controls the muscles that run along the back of the knee as well as the lower leg.
It provides sensation to the back of the thigh, the sole of the foot and the lower leg.
Sciatica is not necessarily a problem with the sciatic nerve per se, rather it is caused by the nerve being pinched by some underlying causes such as a bone spur or a herniated disc.
Problems due to the sciatic nerve being pinched are often diagnosed as "radiculopathy.
" This means that a disc has protruded from its normal position and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve that connects with the sciatic nerve.
This gives rise to the name sciatica.
Direct trauma, pressure on the nerve from other adjacent body structures and prolonged external pressure on the nerve can cause this pain.
If the nerve passes through a narrow structure, the pressure on it can cause sciatica.
The damage slows down the transmission of impulses through the nerve and results in pain.
Diabetes and other systemic diseases typically damage many different nerves, including the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve can also be damaged due to pressure from tumors or abscesses, or even bleeding in the pelvic region.
Symptoms of Sciatica Some common symptoms of sciatica include numbness, changes in sensation, burning, tingling, and pain in the buttock region.
The protruding disc may also pinch the nerves running down the back of the legs, calf and the sole of the foot causing pain.
It also manifests as weakness in the knees, legs and feet.
In more severe cases, loss of mobility is also indicated.
Treatment Traditionally, open back surgery was the treatment procedure for sciatica.
But open spine surgery is a very invasive procedure and brings with it its own complications.
But now, using minimally invasive laser spine surgery, the problem caused by the protruding disc can be corrected.
Foraminotomy, Laminotomy or Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy can be effectively used to treat the problem.
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