Sciatic Pain Of Legs

Sciatic pain of the legs is characterized by the pain that occurs down
the leg and is caused by the inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatic
pain usually starts in the back and extends down the legs. This is a
common condition resulting from acute nerve compression. The reason for
nerve compression may be slipped/prolapsed disk, muscle tension
(Piriformis syndrome) and some less common reasons such as bony growths,
tumors and infections.

Sciatic pain of legs may range from mild to severe and categorized as
acute and chronic, as follows:

* Acute sciatic pain is generally associated with soft tissue injury such
as sprains of muscles, ligaments, or tendons or disc herniation. Acute
pain generally cures within several days to weeks and its severity is
directly associated with the extent of tissue injury. Since the source of
pain may be the spinal joints, vertebrae, discs or soft tissues, it is
generally called as acute mechanical back pain.

* Chronic sciatic pain may persist for more than 3 months. It may be
present all the time and may worsen with poor posture, certain activities
and improper body mechanics. Other contributing factors may be related to
arthritic changes, tissue scarring, nerve cell changes or psychological
effects of chronic pain.

There are several causes of sciatic pain of legs. Slipped disc, which is
referred as a herniated nucleus pulposus or prolapsed intervertebral
disc, is one of the most common causes. Other causes of sciatic pain are:

* Narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back (lumbar spinal stenosis)
* Degenerative disc disease such as osteoarthritis that causes breakdown
of discs that act as a cushion between the vertebrae
* Spondylolisthesis

Other possible reasons that may give rise to sciatic pain are overweight,
wearing high heels, lack of regular exercise and sleeping on too soft
mattress.

Main symptoms of sciatic pain of legs are related to the pain in low
back, buttock, thigh, knee and foot. In some cases, pain may be severe
and unbearable while in some people, it may be irritating and infrequent,
but possibly may worsen. Some common symptoms of sciatic pain are:

* Pain the leg or rear that may worsen when sitting, tingling or burning
down the leg.
* People with sciatic pain may experience numbness, weakness in leg or
difficulty in moving foot or leg.
* A shooting pain in the leg makes it difficult for the patient to stand
up.

The sciatic pain extends from the lower back through the back of the
thigh and then down through the leg. The foot or toes are also involved
depending on the site where sciatic nerve is affected.

A careful medical examination is required to determine the type of spin
problem and its cause to decide the appropriate treatment option.
Diagnosis of sciatic pain of legs features a combination of physical
examination, medical history of the patient and certain diagnostic tests
such as x-ray, CT and MRI scan, Discogramn and Myelogram.

The treatment options include self-care, physical therapy, exercise,
massage, traction, ultra-sound, acupuncture and chiropractic
manipulation. You may get benefit from the prescribed medications such as
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including naproxen, ibuprofen and
aspirin, which can relieve pain and inflammation. Steroids may used to
decrease swelling and inflammation of the nerves. Some surgical options
for sciatic pain are discectomy and lumbar laminectomy.