Sciatica is a term that refers to pain that travels down each leg along the course of the sciatic nerve from the lower back to the hips and buttocks. The condition usually only affects one side of the body.
ETIOLOGY
Sciatica is a common symptom of a variety of medical disorders, but it is believed to be caused in 90% of instances by a herniated (slipped) disc.
Other causes of sciatica include:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis is a constriction of the lower back’s spinal cord.
- Spondylolisthesis occurs when a disc slips forward over the vertebra below it.
- Tumours: The root of the sciatic nerve can be compressed by tumours in the spine.
- Infection-affecting the spine in the end.
- Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious condition that affects the nerves in the lower region of the spinal cord and requires immediate medical intervention.
- Additional factors, such as injuries to the spine,
RISK FACTORS
- Age: Sciatica is most frequently caused by age-related changes in the spine, such as herniated discs and bone spurs.
- Obesity: Excess body weight can add stress to the spine, resulting in spinal abnormalities that cause sciatica.
- Occupation: If your employment demands you lift heavy objects, repeatedly twist or bend your back, or drive for extended periods of time, you may get sciatica.
- Sedentary life style– Individuals who sit for long periods of time or live a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than those who lead an active lifestyle.
- Diabetes: This disorder, which impairs your body’s ability to use glucose, raises your risk of nerve injury.
Clinical Presentation
- Shooting pain– Sciatica is distinguished by shooting pain that travels up the sciatic nerve root from the lower back to the buttocks and back of either leg.
- Numbness in the back of the leg: Numbness in the back of the leg is sometimes associated with sciatica pain. At times, tingling or weakness in the feet or toes may occur. Prolonged sitting can increase the tingling sensation.
- Posture-related symptoms: Sciatica symptoms may worsen while sitting, attempting to stand, bending the spine forward, twisting the spine, lying down, or coughing. Walking or applying a hot pack on the back or the pelvis can help alleviate discomfort.
Physiotherapy for Sciatica
Physical therapy and exercise are widely used as initial treatments for the relief, treatment, and prevention of sciatica symptoms.
Objective
- It assists in relieving soreness.
- Facilitate the healing of the underlying cause.
- Attempt to avert flare-ups and recurrences.
- Restores pain-free functional movement patterns.
- Lower back, buttocks, thighs, and leg pain can be relieved.
- Muscle spasms should be minimised.
- Restore lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint function.
- It also increases the mobility of the lower body.
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