What is Sciatica, Actually?

Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.

Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

• Lumbar Radiculopathy explained

• How Lumbar Radiculopathy can be treated

• News: Fact or Fiction? A bar of soap to cure leg cramps?

Lumbar Radiculopathy explained

Lumbar radiculopathy, often referred to as sciatica, is a condition characterized by pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates along the path of a nerve originating from the lower back (lumbar region) down to the legs. This condition is typically caused by compression or irritation of one or more nerve roots in the lumbar spine.

The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae (L1-L5) and their associated intervertebral discs and nerves. Nerve roots exit the spine through small openings between the vertebrae known as neural foramina. When there is pressure on or irritation of these nerve roots, it can lead to lumbar radiculopathy.

 Common Causes of Lumbar Radiculopathy

Herniated Disc (Herniated Nucleus Pulposus or HNP): A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner portion of an intervertebral disc pushes through the tough outer layer and compresses a nerve root.

Spinal Stenosis: This is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the nerve roots as they exit the spine.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): Degeneration of the intervertebral discs with age can lead to changes that may cause nerve compression.

Spondylolisthesis: This is a condition where one vertebra slips forward over an adjacent vertebra, potentially compressing nerve roots.

Bone Spurs (Osteophytes): Bony growths that can develop on the edges of the vertebrae due to osteoarthritis, potentially causing nerve compression.

Common Symptoms of Lumbar Radiculopathy

Pain: Sharp, shooting pain that travels down the leg, often following the path of the affected nerve.

Numbness and Tingling: Areas of the leg may feel numb or tingly, often in the buttocks, thigh, calf, or foot.

Muscle Weakness: Weakening of the muscles in the affected leg, making it difficult to move or lift the leg.

The specific lumbar nerve that is compressed or pinched determines where the symptoms are felt. See the image below.

Keep reading to learn how Lumbar Radiculopathy can be treated!

Laugh through the pain…

How to Treat Lumbar Radiculopathy

There are many ways to treat lumbar radiculopathy, or sciatica. Here are some of the most common treatment methods.

Conservative Measures: Physical therapy, exercises, hot or cold packs, and over-the-counter pain relievers may be used to manage pain and improve mobility.

Prescription Medications: Pain medications, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.

Epidural Steroid Injections: These injections can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain by delivering corticosteroids directly into the affected area.

Minimally Invasive Procedures: Some examples include interspinous spacing, minimally invasive lumbar decompression, spinal cord stimulation and disc injections. We will cover these treatments in more detail in the future!

Surgery: In severe cases where conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical options such as discectomy (removal of herniated disc material) or laminectomy (removal of part of the vertebra) may be considered to relieve nerve compression.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan based on you specific condition and symptoms.

Ask you doctor if your back and/or leg pain might be from lumbar radiculopathy. To help find relief, ask if you are a candidate for any of the treatments listed above!

In the news…

Fact or Fiction? A bar of soap in bed can treat leg cramps?

In case you missed it…

Resources

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About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

Disclaimer: This publication is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this publication or website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. No provider-patient relationship is created by this publication or web site or its use. Neither the administrator nor its employees, nor any contributor to this publication or web site, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.