Sciatica
Sciatica refers to pain or discomfort associated with the sciatic nerve. Thisnerve runs from the lower part of the spinal cord, down the back of the leg,to the foot. Injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause the characteristic pain of sciatica, a sharp or burning pain that radiates from the lower back or hip, possibly following the path of the sciatic nerve to the foot.
The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body. About the thickness of a person's thumb, it spans from the lower back to the foot. The nerve originates in the lower part of the spinal cord, the so-called lumbar region. As it branches off from the spinal cord, it passes between the bony vertebrae (the component bones of the spine) and runs through the pelvic girdle, or hip bones. The nerve passes through the hip joint and continues down the back of the leg to the foot.
Sciatica is a fairly common disorder and approximately 40% of the populationexperiences it at some point in their lives. However, only about 1% have accompanying sensory (feeling) or motor (movement) deficits. Sciatic pain has several root causes and treatment may hinge upon the underlying problem.
Of the identifiable causes of sciatic pain, lumbosacral radiculopathy and back strain are the most frequently suspected. The term lumbosacral refers to the lower part of the spine, and radiculopathy describes a problem with the spinal nerve roots that pass between the vertebrae and give rise to the sciaticnerve. This area between the vertebrae is cushioned with a disk of shock-absorbing tissue. If this disk shifts or is damaged through injury or disease, the spinal nerve root may be compressed (be under pressure) by the shifted tissue or the vertebrae.
This compression of the nerve roots sends a pain signal to the brain. Although the actual injury is to the nerve roots, the pain may be perceived as coming from anywhere along the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve can be compressed in other ways. Back strain may cause muscle spasms in the lower back, placing pressure on the sciatic nerve. In rare cases, infection, cancer, bone inflammation, or other diseases may be causingthe pressure. More likely, but often overlooked, is the piriformis syndrome.As the sciatic nerve passes through the hip joint, it shares the space with several muscles. One of these muscles, the piriformis muscle, is closely associated with the sciatic nerve. In some people, the nerve actually runs throughthe muscle. If this muscle is injured or has a spasm, it places pressure onthe sciatic nerve, in effect, compressing it.
In many sciatica cases, the specific cause is never identified. About half ofaffected individuals recover from an episode within a month. Some cases canlinger a few weeks longer and may require aggressive treatment. In some cases, the pain may return or potentially become chronic (long-term).
Individuals with sciatica may experience some lower back pain, but the most common symptom is pain that radiates through one buttock and down the back ofthat leg. The most identified cause of the pain is compression or pressure onthe sciatic nerve. The extent of the pain varies between individuals. Some people describe pain that centers in the area of the hip, and others perceivediscomfort all the way to the foot. The quality of the pain also varies; it may be described as tingling, burning, prickly, aching, or stabbing.
Onset of sciatica can be sudden, but it can also develop gradually. The painmay be intermittent (occasional) or continuous, and certain activities, suchas bending, coughing, sneezing, or sitting, may make the pain worse.
Chronic pain may arise from more than just compression on the nerve. According to some pain researchers, physical damage to a nerve is only half of the equation. A developing theory proposes that some nerve injuries result in a release of neurotransmitters and immune system chemicals that enhance and sustain a pain message. Even after the injury has healed, or the damage has been repaired, the pain continues. Control of this abnormal type of pain is difficult.
Before treating sciatic pain, as much information as possible is collected. The individual is asked to recount the location and nature of the pain, how long it has continued, and any accidents or unusual activities prior to its onset. This information provides clues that may point to back strain or injury to a specific location. Back pain from disk disease, piriformis syndrome, andback strain must be differentiated (shown to be different) from more seriousconditions such as cancer or infection. Lumbar stenosis, an overgrowth of thecovering layers of the vertebrae that narrows the spinal canal, must also beconsidered. The possibility that a difference in leg lengths is causing thepain should be evaluated; the problem can be easily be treated with a foot orthotic or built-up shoe.
Often, a straight-leg-raising test is done, in which the person lies face upward and the health-care provider raises the affected leg to various heights.This test pinpoints the location of the pain and may reveal whether it is caused by a disk problem. Other tests, such as having the individual rotate thehip joint, assess the hip muscles. Any pain caused by these movements may provide information about involvement of the piriformis muscle, and piriformis weakness is tested with additional leg-strength maneuvers.
Further tests may be done depending on the results of the physical examination and initial pain treatment. Such tests might include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography scans (CT scans). Other tests examine theconduction of electricity through nerve tissues, and include studies of the electrical activity generated as muscles contract (electromyography), nerve conduction velocity, and evoked potential testing. A more invasive test involves injecting a contrast substance into the space between the vertebrae and making x-ray images of the spinal cord (myelography), but this procedure is usually done only if surgery is being considered. All of these tests can reveal problems with the vertebrae, the disk, or the nerve itself.
Initial treatment for sciatica focuses on pain relief. For acute or very painful flare-ups, bed rest is advised for up to a week, along with medication for the pain. Pain medication includes acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, or muscle relaxants. If the pain stilldoes not cease, opioids (narcotic drugs) may be prescribed for short-term use or a local anesthetic will be injected directly into the lower back. Massage and heat application may be suggested as adjuncts (in addition).
If the pain is chronic, different pain relief medications are used to avoid long-term dosing of NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and opioids. Antidepressant drugs, which have been shown to be effective in treating pain, may be prescribedalongside short-term use of muscle relaxants or NSAIDs. Local anesthetic injections or epidural steroids are used in selected cases.
As the pain allows, physical therapy is introduced into the treatment regime.Stretching exercises that focus on the lower back, buttock, and hamstring muscles are suggested. The exercises also include finding comfortable, pain-reducing positions. Corsets and braces may be useful in some cases, but evidencefor their general effectiveness is lacking. However, they may be helpful toprevent worsening of the condition related to certain activities.
With less pain and the success of early therapy, the individual is encouragedto follow a long-term program to maintain a healthy back and prevent re-injury. A physical therapist may suggest exercises and regular activity, such aswater exercise or walking. Patients are instructed in proper body mechanics to minimize symptoms during light lifting or other activities.
If the pain is chronic and conservative treatment fails, surgery to repair aherniated disk or cut out part or all of the piriformis muscle may be suggested, particularly if there is evidence of nerve or nerve-root damage.
Massage is a recommended form of therapy, especially if the sciatic pain arises from muscle spasm. Symptoms may also be relieved by icing the painful areaas soon as the pain occurs. Ice should be left on the area for 30-60 minutesseveral times a day. After two to three days, a hot water bottle or heatingpad can replace the ice. Chiropractic or osteopathy may offer possible solutions for relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve and the accompanying pain. Acupuncture and biofeedback may also be useful as pain control methods. Body work, such as the Alexander technique, can assist an individual in improving posture and preventing further episodes of sciatic pain.
Most cases of sciatica are treatable with pain medication and physical therapy. After four to six weeks of treatment, an individual should be able to resume normal activities.
Some sources of sciatica are not preventable, such as disk degeneration, backstrain due to pregnancy, or accidental falls. Other sources of back strain,such as poor posture, overexertion, being overweight, or wearing high heels,can be corrected or avoided. Cigarette smoking may also predispose (increasethe chances of) people to pain, and should be discontinued.
General suggestions for avoiding sciatica, or preventing a repeat episode, include sleeping on a firm mattress, using chairs with firm back support, and sitting with both feet flat on the floor. Habitually crossing the legs while sitting can place excess pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sitting a lot can alsoplace pressure on the sciatic nerves, so it's a good idea to take short breaks and move around during the work day, long trips, or any other situation that requires sitting for an extended length of time. If lifting is required, the back should be kept straight and the legs should provide the lift. Regularexercise, such as swimming and walking, can strengthen back muscles and improve posture. Exercise can also help maintain a healthy weight and lessen thelikelihood of back strain.
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