Sciatica – Treatments, Cure, Causes

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Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition involving pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. It is caused by injury to or compression of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the sciatic nerve, located in the back of the leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg and the sole of the foot. Incomplete damage to the sciatic nerve may appear identical to damage to one of the branches of the sciatic nerve (tibial nerve dysfunction or common peroneal nerve dysfunction).

The sciatic nerve is commonly injured by fractures of the pelvis, gunshot wounds, or other trauma to the buttocks or thigh. Prolonged sitting or lying with pressure on the buttocks may also injure it. Systemic diseases, such as diabetes, can typically damage many different nerves, including the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve may also be harmed by pressure from masses such as a tumor or abscess, or by bleeding in the pelvis.

Symptoms

Sensation changes of the back of the calf or the sole of the foot
Numbness, decreased sensation
Tingling, burning sensation
Pain, may be severe
Abnormal sensations
Weakness of the knee or foot
Difficulty walking
Inability to move the foot (in severe cases)
Inability to bend the knee (in severe cases)
Signs and tests

Sciatica might be revealed by a neuromuscular examination of the legs by a physician. There may be weakness of knee bending or foot movement, or difficulty bending the foot inward or down. Reflexes may be abnormal, with weak or absent ankle-jerk reflex. Pain down the leg can be reproduced by lifting the leg straight up off the examining table.

Tests that reveal sciatic nerve dysfunction may include:

EMG (a recording of electrical activity in muscles)
Nerve conduction tests
Tests are guided by the suspected cause of the dysfunction, as suggested by the history, symptoms, and pattern of symptom development. They may include various blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, or other tests and procedures.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at maximizing mobility and independence. The cause of the nerve dysfunction should be identified and treated as appropriate. In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery is spontaneous.

Conservative treatment is usually appropriate for mild sciatica

Surgical removal of lesions that press on the nerve, such as a herniated disk, may relieve symptoms. In cases of severe injury to the nerve, such as laceration, recovery may be not possible or may be limited.

Injections can be used to reduce inflammation around the nerve. Over-the-counter or prescription analgesics may be needed to control nerve pain.

Complications

Partial or complete loss of leg movement
Partial or complete loss of sensation in the leg
Recurrent or unnoticed injury to the leg
Side effects of medications

Prevention

Prevention varies depending on the cause of the nerve damage. Avoid prolonged sitting or lying with pressure on the buttocks.

Web Resources for Sciatica

Sciatica Causes

Sciatica Clinic - This page below what is Sciatica? Background Sciatica Symptoms trigger Points Piraformis Syndrome Symptoms Activation Symptoms
Sciatica : What is Sciatica? What are causes of Sciatica?
6 Leading Causes of Sciatica : Explain about Sciatica
Sciatica : Explain about Sciatica, Sciatica symptoms, causes of Sciatica, Sciatica treatment/pain relief, and Sciatica prevention with exercises
Sciatica Pain Relief, Causes and Symptoms : What is Sciatica? The most common symptoms of Sciatica, Sciatica Pain relief with pain relief cushions
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sciatica/DS00516/DSECTION=3 - Sciatica Introduction, signs and symptoms, causes, Rick factors, and medical advice
Sciatica-From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia : This page Contents Causes of sciatica, Self-infliction, Diagnosis and treatment, Medication therapies, Invasive therapies, Alternative therapies
Did You Know That 90% Of Lower Back Pain Causes Sciatica Symptoms! : How can I be so sure? Well frankly I can't - not 100% anyway, but nearly all lower back pain complaints will give you sciatica symptoms
What Causes Back Pain And Other Aches, Pains, and Injuries : Explain about Sciatica pain and latest articles
The Back Pain Advisor : Sciatica Pain is your sciatica nerve the true cause?
Sciatica Causes : In the majority of cases, sciatica causes are linked to a herniated disk. This condition can develop as people age and the discs between the vertebrae begin to lose fluid and flexibility. However, there are other sciatica causes, including spinal stenosis, fracture, infection, tumor, cyst, or degeneration of the sciatic nerve
Sciatica : Sciatica - causes, sings & symptoms, herbal medicines, Ayurvedic remedies and diet
How to Deal With Sciatic Nerve Pain? : Symptoms, the Cause: Nerve compression, diagnosis of sciatica, treatments, and related articles
Sciatica: Definition, Causes, And Treatment : Brief explains about Sciatica

Sciatica reasons

Bad discs, pinched nerve, and Sciatica How to fix them yourself - This article will show you how to easily and quickly stop the source of the pain. Then you no longer will get the pain and your back and discs can heal
What is Sciatica? – Good explain about Sciatica
Eliminate Sciatica & Sciatic Nerve Pain Now! - Sciatica symptoms, causes, diagnosis, non surgical treatments, surgical treatments, related Pages
Massage for Sciatica and Sciatic Nerve Pain - What is Sciatica? Massage Therapy and Bodywork for Sciatica and Other Treatments
What Is Sciatica? - Explain about Sciatica with Sciatic nerve picture. Two common reasons are a herniated disk and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Way To Sciatica Pain Relief - Sciatica pain relief method 1-hot and cold pack treatments, 2-anti inflammatory treatment, 3-deep tissue massage and explain
Sciatica a pain in your buttocks? - Roger Lapointe says common issues are glute pulls, cramps and Sciatica. I can give you a million reasons for these issues
Treatment of Sciatica – Brief explain about sciatica medical treatment
Sciatica: the worst type of lower back pain? – What causes Sciatica? Treatments, alternative therapies
Back Pain Relief - Stop Lower Back Pain & Sciatica with Exercise - Sciatica and cycling, yoga for Sciatica exercise video, exercises for loser back pain, questions & answers on sciatica & back pain
Back pain and sciatica - An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of back pain, including sciatica.

Sciatica & Age

Diseases and Conditions - Sciatica introduction, signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, when to seek medical advice, screening and diagnosis, complications, treatment, more aggressive treatments, prevention, complementary and alternative medicine
Sciatica – Explain about Sciatica etiognosis of sciatica, constitutional factors, environmental and behavioural factors, genetic factors
Sciatica - Sciatica definition, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, nerve conduction study, treatment, limited physical activity, medication, physical therapy, alternative therapies, surgery, prevention and references
Back pain and sciatica - Sciatica description, alternative names, risk factors, the brain and pain perception, aging, genes, heavy backpacks, high-risk occupations, infections, medical conditions, medical conditions in children, muscular abnormalities, pregnancy, psychological and social factors.

Sciatica in Women

Health Information - Sciatica - Sciatic definition, nerve pain, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, limited physical activity, medication, physical therapy, alternative therapies, surgery and prevention
What is sciatica? – Beautiful explain for Sciatica
Sciatica during Pregnancy - sciatica does affect many women during pregnancy
Back Pain & Sciatica during Pregnancy - Alternative Medicine Options during Pregnancy
Sciatica - What is sciatica? Why might it happen in pregnancy? What are the symptoms? How is it treated? Self-help tips during and after the birth by Alison Bourne.

Sciatica in Men

Disease Database - Sciatica definition, causes, symptoms treatment, herbs.

Sciatica & Genetics

Sciatica-Mayo clinic - Risk factors - age, occupation, physical activity, genetic factors, diabetes.

Is Sciatica Hereditary?

The truth about sciatica - Truth: Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis, Truth: Serious problems or damage can occur (though rare), Truth: The sciatic nerve runs from the low back down to the toes, Truth: Sciatica leg pain is caused by a problem in the low back, Truth: The causes of sciatica are not genetic, Truth: piriformis syndrome feels like sciatica but it isn’t the same, Truth: Pain from arthritis or joint problems is not true sciatica.
Low Back Pain and Sciatica - Risk Factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, screening, reducing your risk, talking to your doctor, living with low back pain and sciatica, living with low back pain and sciatica, resource guide.

Sciatica Diagnosis

Sciatica: doctor answers patient questions - The following explanations, insights and advice about sciatica – including diagnosing the source of the sciatic pain - are provided by Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., an orthopedic spine surgeon and Medical Director for Spine-health.com
How is sciatica diagnosed? - More information on sciatica and neuropathy
Sciatica-Screening and diagnosis Mayoclinic.com - Explain for Sciatica tests spinal X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography
Diagnosis of sciatica - Medical history, physical signs, imaging and other diagnostic tests, associations of symptoms and clinical signs with MRI findings
Sciatica - Sciatica--diagnosis and surgical management
Sciatica - Clinical diagnosis of sciatica
Sciatica: symptoms, causes and diagnosis - How is sciatica diagnosed? And explain for Sciatica
Diagnosis of Low Back Pain and Sciatica - Sciatica tests X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, blood tests, urine tests, and nerve conduction study
Sciatica - What is Sciatica, statistics summary of Sciatica, predisposing factors of Sciatica, probable outcomes of Sciatica, diagnosis and testing for Sciatica, treatment overview of Sciatica, drugs associated with Sciatica?
Sciatica Treatment and Information Center - Definitions and Diagnosis of Sciatica, Diagnostic Steps for Sciatica, Non-Surgical Sciatica Treatment, Surgical Sciatica Treatment, Video Presentations, Post-Operative Care.

Tests for Sciatica

Knee flexion test and sciatica - knee flexion test for sciatic spinal nerve root compression
Sciatica - Exams and Tests - This is to try to diagnose the cause of your sciatica and develop a treatment plan for you—a way to manage your pain and other symptoms and to help you recover. Typical Diagnostic Questions?
Sciatica - This article gives us information for Sciatica, causes, and treatment
Sciatica - Sciatica definition, causes, symptoms, exams and tests, treatment, outlook(prognosis), possible complication, when to contact a medical professional, prevention
Sciatica tests – Blood tests, CT scan, MRI Scan, X-rays.

Sciatica Symptoms

Sciatica Symptoms - The most common symptom from sciatica is pain. Most people describe a deep, severe pain that starts low on one side of the back and then shoots down the buttock and the leg with certain movements
Sciatica symptoms and sciatic nerve anatomy - Different types of sciatica pain, Proper use of the sciatica terminology
Sciatica symptoms - The most common symptom of true sciatica is posterior thigh, lower leg or foot pain that can be much worse than the accompanying lower back pain. Usually a patient will experience moderate to severe pain, which begins in the buttocks and runs down through the leg or foot
Sciatica signs and symptoms - Numbness of muscle weakness, tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling, a loss of bladder or bowel control
Sciatica Symptoms - Related - Nerve pain & radiculopathy the sciatic nerve what is Sciatica?

Sciatica Treatments

Non-Surgical Treatment of Sciatica - Self-care under a doctor's care, chiropractic, stronger medication, epidural steroid injection, structured physical therapy program
Sciatica treatment Mayoclinic.com - In addition, try the following measures: cold packs, hot packs, stretching, over the counter medications, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and regular exercise. More aggressive treatments epidural steroid injections, surgery
Myths about sciatica treatment options - Patients who have sciatica are best served by a treatment plan that is individualized based on the patient’s symptoms, diagnosis and response to various treatments
http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/back-pain-and-sciatica-treatment.html
What's the treatment for sciatica? – Brief explains for Sciatica treatment
Sciatica treatment - How is Sciatica treated? Pain control, stay active, epidural steroid injections, surgery, stretching and strengthening massage, osteopathy, physiotherapy, spinal manipulation, acupuncture, heat or ice packs, TENS-Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, PENS-Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Sciatica - Physical therapy exercises may be appropriate for some people to maintain muscle strength
Sciatica Treatment Westchester County New York - The sooner you get the treatment you need for sciatica the better. Dr. Philip Striano, in Westchester, uses non-surgical spinal decompression as a treatment for his patients, which can relieve nerve compression, often associated with sciatica
Self-Treatment for Sciatica - In The trigger point therapy workbook, nationally certified massage therapist Clair Davies simplifies travel and Simons' extensive research into myofascial pain and makes it accessible to the layman
Surgery versus Prolonged Conservative Treatment for Sciatica – (doubtful)

Sciatica Latest Treatments

Sacro Wedgy® Uses the Latest Proven Treatment Methods – Explain for Sciatica latest treatment
New Technologies for Treating Sciatica and Back Pain - The exciting new technology we will cover here refers to easing back pain and sciatica that is caused by disc problems
Sciatica – New treatments for Sciatica
New technologies for treating back pain & sciatica – Brief explains for Sciatica treatment
Sciatica solutions - You might be wondering why the Sciatica Pain Solutions report is so short.

Sciatica Exercises

Sciatica Treatment: Exercises That Help Sciatica - In order to successfully alleviate sciatica pain, you must exercise and stretch daily
Sciatica Exercises - Helpful sciatica exercises. Active exercise is important for sciatica relief. Specific sciatica exercises depend on the cause of the pain
Sciatica exercises - Top 10 Yoga Exercises to relieve Sciatica
Back Pain and Sciatica: Exercises for Sciatica Relief - Exercises are often best means to achieve Sciatica Relief. They vary according to the cause of pain
Sciatica Exercises - One of the best ways to rid yourself from lower back pain is doing sciatica exercises
Sciatica Exercises: An Effective Remedy For Spine Trouble - Sciatica exercises are the best relief for sciatica back pain
Sciatic exercise bench – Explain for Sciatica exercise bench
Best exercises for Sciatica
Specific low back pain exercises - Most physical therapy programs that are designed to treat low back pain and some radicular pain (pain radiating down the leg) will include a combination of the following types of exercise.

Sciatica & Surgery

Herniated Disk and Sciatica - Surgery v Conservative Treatment - A new study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine found no real difference between recovery rates from back surgery for sciatica, as compared with conservative treatment
Sciatica - Early Surgery for Severe Sciatica Relieves Pain Faster Than Conservative Treatment
Sciatica - When Surgery is Needed - spine surgery is seldom needed to treat sciatica. However, there are situations when spine surgery may be considered.

Sciatica Cure

Sciatica & Alternative Medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine - Acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, hypnosis
Alternative Treatments to Reduce Sciatica - Acupuncture - What's old is new, acupressure - close cousin to acupuncture, yoga - balancing mind and body, biofeedback - connecting the mind and body, prevention - better then medicine
Acupuncture & Low Back Pain - Our acupuncture technique, however, produces the complete opposite effect. Except in a few very acute cases, we attempt to enhance blood circulation, especially in the area that there is pain or discomfort.

Sciatica complications

Back pain and sciatica - Certain warning signs should alert a patient to see a doctor immediately for low back pain. Any very severe back pain warrants attention, particularly if any of the following conditions are present
Sciatica – Very brief explains about sciatica. The healthy lumbar spine, introduction, some common patterns of nerve root pain in the leg, healing, diagnosis, the main points of nerve root pain, prognosis, things that may help, drug treatments, physiotherapy and manual therapies, injection therapy, Surgery, after the operation, dos and don’ts, useful information sources for patients.

Other Sciatica Links

Sciatica patients - Infliximab may reduce sciatica symptoms and enable patients to return to work quickly
Sciatica patients’ rest - Sciatica patients may not benefit from bed rest. These articles explain
Sciatica short reference for patient’s - CT evaluation of the greater sciatic foramen in patients with sciatica
Is Sciatica a Symptom or Spinal Disorder? - Leg pain is the classic hallmark of sciatica. Low back pain may accompany sciatica and some patients experience sciatic pain extending into the foot. Another characteristic of sciatica is it usually affects either the lower left or right side of the body.

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