What Is Sciatica?

Do you struggle with sciatica and want to get help for it? We speak with Prof. Mushtaque Ishaque, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, at The Priory Hospital in Birmingham. Prof. Ishaque is highly experienced when it comes to diagnosing and treating sciatica. He shares his expert advice on the most common causes of sciatica and how to get help for this unpleasant, but very treatable, condition. Immediate links: For more information about sciatica, browse: https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/treatments/sciatica https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/health-matters/bones-and-joints/sciatica https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/health-matters/bones-and-joints/back-problems-sciatica-and-brachialgia What is sciatica? Sciatica is a common condition that causes pain that radiates along the path of your sciatic nerve. Often people talk about pain that radiates through their back or pain that radiates down the leg. Radiating pain in your back or leg might feel like it’s starting in one area of your body but shooting off in different directions. It might feel like it’s moving around your body, or the pain might be constant in some areas and not in others. You might also feel numbness or tingling. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body: it runs from your lower back down through your buttocks and into each of your legs. So, sciatica pain can be felt anywhere from your lower back down to your feet. The condition happens when your sciatic nerve becomes compressed or irritated. The experience of sciatica varies from person to person; some people struggle with constant symptoms that interfere massively with their daily life, while others have symptoms that come and go in flare ups. What are the common causes of sciatica? Sciatica is often caused by a herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc, which is when one of your spinal discs moves out of place. This can put pressure on your sciatic nerve. Other causes of sciatica include gradual wear and tear of your spine (typically as a result of ageing or overuse); spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the part of your spine where nerves pass through; or a severe back injury, which might cause a sudden displacement of one of your spinal discs. What are the most common symptoms of sciatica? The most common symptom of sciatica is pain that radiates down your legs from your lower back. This pain can be sharp, shooting or burning in nature. It can also feel aching and constant in some cases. Other symptoms of sciatica include numbness, tingling (often described as pins and needles), and weakness in your affected leg or foot. The pain may vary in intensity, and it can worsen with certain movements like sitting, standing, or coughing. You might also experience weakness when bending your knee, difficulty walking on your toes, abnormal or weak reflexes, and pain when lifting your leg straight upwards. People who experience sciatica in flare ups are often triggered by certain exercises, by sitting for long periods of time at a desk, or by standing for long periods of time. If you have sciatica and would like help, you can book an appointment with a consultant orthopaedic surgeon to begin your treatment journey. Leave a comment below if you’d like more expert videos from consultants about managing this condition. Further Links –  Prof. Mushtaque Ishaque is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at The Priory Hospital in Birmingham. https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/hospitals/the-priory-hospital https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/consultants/mushtaque-ahmad-ishaque Hashtags - #sciaticapain #sciaticatreatment #livingwithsciatica