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Sciatic Nerve

The sciatic nerve is the body’s longest and widest single nerve. Beginning at the lower back, the sciatic nerve travels through the pelvic region, branches down the back of each leg, and ends at the soles of the feet.

The sciatic nerve enables movement and feeling in the lower back, buttocks, hips, thighs, calves, ankles, and feet. When the sciatic nerve is placed under unusual pressure, symptoms typically begin in the lower back and radiate down one side of the body from the buttocks to the legs and potentially to the toes. This pain is commonly called sciatica.

Different people experience different types of pain or discomfort with sciatica, such as:

• Pain ranging from a dull ache to a sharp pain
• Burning and tingling sensations
• Numbness and weakness in the leg
• Pain, tingling, weakness, and numbness on one side of the lower body
• Shooting "electric shock" pain

How does the sciatic nerve become injured or damaged? Typically, a damaged intervertebral disc or other inflamed tissue in the lumbar spine puts unusual pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing it to become squeezed or pinched.

Some conditions that can contribute to a pinched sciatic nerve include:

• Bulging disc
• Herniated disc
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Bone spurs
• Torn spinal ligaments
• Pregnancy
• Spinal stenosis

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While damage or injury to the sciatic nerve is generally not permanent, it can be very painful and limit work and leisure activities. With proper treatment, such as rest, stretching, physical therapy, and hot/cold therapy, this pain and discomfort may go away by itself.

But, if pain and discomfort continues, you may want to contact Laser Spine Institute (LSI) for a second opinion. We offer minimally invasive, outpatient procedures to treat sciatica and other back and neck conditions. Contact LSI today for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.