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Sciatic nerve pain

Sciatica

Sciatica is irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve — the longest nerve in the body. It causes radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness and is treatable without surgery in most cases.

Overview

About Sciatica

Sciatica is not a condition itself but a symptom of nerve compression along the sciatic nerve pathway. Most commonly, a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, lumbar spinal stenosis, or piriformis syndrome irritates the nerve roots and produces the classic radiating pain.

Symptoms range from a dull burning sensation to electric-shock-like pain shooting down the leg. With prompt evaluation and a precise diagnosis, most patients improve with non-surgical care that targets the underlying cause.

Common symptoms

  • Sharp, burning, or electric-shock pain radiating down one leg
  • Tingling or numbness in the leg, foot, or toes
  • Muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot
  • Pain that worsens with sitting, standing, or coughing
  • Difficulty lifting the foot or walking on the heel or toes
Causes & risk factors

What causes sciatica

01

Lumbar herniated or bulging disc pressing on a nerve root

02

Lumbar spinal stenosis narrowing the nerve passageway

03

Piriformis syndrome — muscle irritation of the sciatic nerve

04

Bone spurs from arthritis of the lumbar spine

05

Trauma, prolonged sitting, or pregnancy-related changes

Treatment options

How we treat sciatica

Epidural steroid injections

01

Image-guided injection of anti-inflammatory medication around the inflamed nerve root to calm pain and reduce swelling.

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Selective nerve root blocks

02

Targeted injection that confirms which nerve is causing pain and provides direct relief at the source.

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Physical therapy

03

Directional exercises, core strengthening, and nerve mobilization to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.

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Regenerative medicine

04

PRP and stem cell therapy to support disc and soft-tissue healing in select cases.

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When to seek care

When to see a specialist

Seek care promptly if leg pain has lasted more than a few days, if weakness is progressing, or if you notice changes in bowel or bladder control — the last is a medical emergency.

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All common symptoms

  • Sharp, burning, or electric-shock pain radiating down one leg
  • Tingling or numbness in the leg, foot, or toes
  • Muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot
  • Pain that worsens with sitting, standing, or coughing
  • Difficulty lifting the foot or walking on the heel or toes

Get expert care for sciatica

Request a consultation and our specialists will identify the source of your pain and build a treatment plan around it.

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