Sciatica

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Lumbar radiculopathy)

<languages /><translate>

3D still showing Sciatica nerve
3D still showing Sciatica nerve

Sciatica is a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. Sciatic nerve controls muscles in the back of your knee and lower leg and provides feeling to the back of your thigh, part of your lower leg, and the sole of your foot.

Sciatic pain distribution
Sciatic pain distribution

What is sciatica pain?[edit | edit source]

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

  • When you have sciatica, you have pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling.
  • It can start in the lower back and extend down your leg to your calf, foot, or even your toes.
  • It's usually on only one side of your body.

Causes[edit | edit source]

  • A ruptured intervertebral disk
  • Narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the nerve, called spinal stenosis
  • An injury such as a pelvic fracture.
  • In many cases no cause can be found.
  • Sometimes sciatica goes away on its own.

Sciatica Resources

</translate>

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD