Condition guide
Sciatica
Pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from the lower back into the leg.
Overview
Sciatica describes a recognizable pattern of symptoms rather than a single diagnosis: pain, tingling, numbness, or occasional weakness that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, from the buttock down the back or side of the leg, sometimes reaching the foot.
Because the pattern can be produced by several different problems, most commonly a herniated disc pressing on a nerve root or narrowing around the nerve where it exits the spine, identifying the actual source matters. Treatment aimed at the wrong structure rarely helps, which is why sciatica is evaluated rather than simply labeled.
Symptoms
- Pain traveling from the buttock into the back or side of the leg
- Tingling or pins-and-needles sensations in the leg or foot
- Numbness along part of the leg
- A burning or electric quality to the pain
- Symptoms that worsen with sitting, bending, or coughing
- Occasional weakness when walking, rising, or lifting the foot
Possible causes
The most common cause is a lumbar disc herniation irritating a nerve root. Spinal stenosis, narrowing where the nerve exits the spine, piriformis-related irritation, and, less commonly, other structural problems can produce a similar pattern. The distribution of symptoms often offers clues about which nerve level is involved.
How it is diagnosed
Evaluation maps the exact path of your symptoms and checks strength, sensation, and reflexes in both legs. Specific movements help distinguish spine-related nerve irritation from other causes. Imaging is ordered when findings support it and is interpreted together with the examination, since disc findings on a scan do not always match the symptomatic nerve.
Treatment options
Care depends on the identified cause and how much the nerve is affected. Many episodes improve over weeks with guided activity and rehabilitation. Medication review can help manage nerve-related pain during recovery. When symptoms persist or are significant, image-guided options such as an epidural steroid injection or a selective nerve root block may be considered to reduce inflammation around the affected nerve.
When to see a specialist
Prompt evaluation is important for progressive weakness in the leg or foot. New bowel or bladder changes, or numbness in the groin and inner thigh area, require emergency care. Otherwise, an evaluation is reasonable when leg symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, keep recurring, or interfere with walking, sleep, or work.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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Start with a conversation about your symptoms and goals.
This information is educational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.