The most common cause of sciatica is lumbar hernia or bulging of the lumbar intervertebral disc. In the elderly population, lumbar stenosis of the spine can also cause these symptoms. A misalignment of one vertebra with respect to other vertebrae can also lead to sciatica symptoms. In addition, lumbar or pelvic muscle spasm or inflammation can affect a lumbar or sacral nerve root, causing sciatica problem.

The sciatic nerve is the longest in the body and, at the same time, a nerve with an extremely important role: it has a direct effect on the ability to control and feel the lower limbs. The nerve branches from the lower back through the hips, buttocks and descends in both lower limbs.

SYMPTOMS

• Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg.
  
  
• Pain that originates in the low back or buttock and continues along the path of the sciatic nerve—down the back of the thigh and into the lower leg and foot
  
  
• Pain that feels better when patients lie down or are walking, but worsens when standing or sitting
  
  
• Pain typically described as sharp or searing, rather than dull
  
  
• A “pins-and-needles” sensation, numbness or weakness, or a prickling sensation down the leg
  
  
• in some cases
  
  
• Weakness or numbness when moving the leg or foot
  
  
• Severe or shooting pain in one leg, making it difficult to stand up or walk
  
  
• Pain and other symptoms in the toes, depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected
  
  
• Lower back pain that, if experienced at all, is not as severe as leg pain.

This nerve controls several muscles in the lower legs and supplies sensation to the skin of the foot and the majority of the lower leg. Sciatica is not a condition, but rather a symptom of another problem involving the sciatic nerve.