The doctor will first perform a history and physical examination, and then X-rays, MRI and/or MR neurography exams will confirm whether there is a lumbar nerve root compression. (Find a sciatica specialist at HSS.) How is sciatica diagnosed? If you experience severe numbness, tingling or problems urinating, see a doctor as soon as possible. If rest, icing or other self-care methods have not improved your condition after three days, consult a physiatrist, spine surgeon or your primary care doctor to discuss your symptoms. Self-care measures that may help include ceasing all activity that causes pain, performing stretches of your lower back, applying an ice pack intermittently to the area causing pain, and taking NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen. What should I do if I think I have sciatica? This animation illustrates the anatomy of the spine and sciatic nerves and the mechanics of sciatic nerve pain and leg pain. This would include how we lift and how we sit. There are many contributing factors that may increase the risk of sciatica, but one of the most important is improper spine mechanics. bone or muscle injuries such as a broken hip.(Less often) inflammation of body parts adjacent to the spine, which in turn may be caused by:.Spinal stenosis – a narrowing of the canal that houses the spinal nerves.Herniated discs can be brought on by wear-and-tear over time or by an acute back injury. This slippage puts pressure on the nerve roots located just next to the disc. A herniated disc – also known as a ruptured or slipped disc – in which the gel-like center of an intervertebral disc of the spine sticks out through a tear in its outer ring (called the annulus).The nerve compression itself is most commonly irritated from disc tissue that is compressing the nerve, other structures in the spine that can also compress the nerve, or by an inflammatory reaction near the nerve. This particular form of entrapment is called lumbar radiculopathy, since the damaged nerves roots are located in the lumbar (lower back) portion of the spine. Irritation of the sciatic nerve is caused by nerve root entrapment (also known as nerve compression, pinched nerve or entrapment neuropathy). Feelings of muscle weakness or altered reflexes.ĭepending on the location of the compressed nerve, your symptoms may worsen when you bend over, lift objects, twist, sit down, cough or sneeze.Neuropathies such as numbness or a “pins and needles” tingling sensation.Back pain accompanied by leg pain is the key symptom that suggests you have sciatica rather than another type of back pain. Dull, aching, shooting or "burning" pain that starts in your lower back and/or buttock and radiates down one of your legs.The pain feels as if it is coming from the sciatic nerve in the buttocks region because of its location, but the pain almost always originates from an irritated nerve in the lower spine. The typical first symptom is pain that radiates from the lower back or buttock region down one leg. Weakness and numbness are two neurological symptoms that should be considered and taken very seriously. Pain is always a good guide but should not be the only guide. One should be able to maintain an active lifestyle such as playing sports when having symptoms of sciatica but the decision regarding restriction of activities should not be made as generalized rule and should always be individualized. How one manages their symptoms will play a significant role. The symptoms may get worse with age but they may also get better with age. Sciatica can affect people of almost any age except the very young. Sciatic nerve pain radiates along the same path. These nerves branch outward from the spine and then come together at each buttock to form the sciatic nerve, which then radiates down each leg. Sciatic nerves originate from several nerves in your lower back. Sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the human body. When should I see a doctor for sciatica?.What should I do if I think I have sciatica?.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |