This ought to help you know if your back will likely cause you sciatica – a condition that results from irritation of the sciatic nerve in your back while giving you pain down the leg.
This can create sciatica: A swelling, inflammation, rubbing or squeezing of some of the nerves that take origin in the lower back, and extend into the legs. Most sciatica patients can self-care by waiting and using other appropriate ways.
Plain and simple, it is established that about eight out of ten people say that they have suffered from lower back pain at some stage of their lives, and up to four out of ten have developed sciatica. As you’ll see, there is considerable overlap and it can be easy for people to mistake the two.
This is something we need to understand better Let me explain this condition a little bit.Sciatica also referred to as lumbar radiculopathy is an ailment that results in pain down the sciatic nerve.nto your legs can result in sciatica. With dedicated time and self-care methods, the majority of sciatica sufferers recover on their own.
The majority of individuals, eight out of ten, experience lower back discomfort at some time in their lives, and up to four out of ten develop sciatica. Given how many symptoms the two disorders have in common, it might be simple to confuse them. Let’s understand this condition better.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica, which is also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is a condition that causes pain along the sciatic nerve. This particular nerve is located from your lower back or your backside of your pelvis to your buttock area up to your back thigh. The sciatic nerve description is the largest and thickest nerve in your leg. It is also the largest nerve in your body, so pain or discomfort could affect your everyday life and job.
Various conditions can cause sciatica. Some of them are:
- Degenerative disk disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated disks
- Foraminal stenosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Injuries
- Spondylolisthesis
- Pregnancy
- Tumours, cysts or any other growths
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Conus medullaris syndrome
Major Symptoms That You Should Know
Sciatica cause stinging or low back pain in any area that the sciatic nerve touches, which begins at the lower back and branches out along the back of the leg to the foot.
The symptoms may be located around your hip and lower back area or radiating to your buttocks or legs. It depends on which nerve(s) have been injured and some of the symptoms travel all the way down to your toes.
Sciatica can showcase in the form of a multitude of symptoms, which majorly include:
- Lower back pain
- A change in sensation or weakness in the leg or foot
- Leg pain, which often feels worse than back pain
- Muscular spasms in the back
Moreover, a change in feeling in the leg or foot can include a feeling of numbness, pins and needles, hot or cold, burning or shooting sensations, or some kind of sensations that are hard to explain. If you have had these symptoms you should choose Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills or the most qualified orthopedic doctor in Hyderabad.
How to Estimate Whether the Back Pain is Indicating Sciatica?
With a detailed medical history and physical examination, the various tests for sciatica may include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This method uses large magnets, radiofrequency energy and a computer, to create clear picture of the nerves, spinal cord, tissues, organs and other structures in your body. This way, it can assist in identifying various kinds of sciatica namely – herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, or facet arthritis.They outlined that the method aims at documenting as well as interpreting electrical signals in muscles.computer make detailed images of the nerves, spinal cord, surrounding tissues, organs and other structures in your body. It helps in detecting various causes of sciatica, including herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, or facet arthritis.
- Electromyography and nerve conduction study (EMG and NCS): The method involves recording and analysing electrical signals in your muscles. In EMG, the first thin, hair-like needles are inserted into your muscles in order to record the electrical signals. When the NCS is incorporated with an EMG it is usually done to determine whether a specific nerve is functioning correctly. Several points on the skin along the nerve to be tested are then anesthetised and electrodes are duly placed. The way things work is your health care expert will have to stimulate the nerve in many areas until he determines that is where your damage or injury is.
When Should You Visit a Doctor?
Mild sciatica resolves itself in most cases by simply fading out. It is however important that in case the self management practices do not alleviate the symptoms, you should seek a word from your family doctor.
If one is also feeling severe pain or it lasts for more than one week then also he should consult a doctor. Consider taking immediate medical care for:
- Sharp pain followed by weakness of a leg’s muscles.
- Suffering after any nasty accident, for example, a car crash.
- Problems in experiencing bowel or urinary control (urinary incontinence or faecal incontinence).
If you meet anyone of the symptom certainly you should consult and visit Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills or one can speak to the best orthopedic doctor in Hyderabad through Apollo 24|7.
Arranging a doctor’s appointment if – even if you’re trying your best to take care of sciatica by yourself – your pain isn’t dissipating after several weeks or if you’re concerned that the healing process is slower than it should be.
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