After putting up with a lot of problems with my back and leg I finally went to my GP and was diagnosed with sciatica. Why, if the problem is located in my back, am I getting symptoms in my leg?
The sciatic nerves - of which there are two - are the largest and longest nerves in the body. Each is about the width of a finger and on each side of the body they run from the lower spine, down behind the hip joint, down the buttocks to the back of the knee. At this point they divide into several branches and continue down into the calf and foot.
When the sciatic nerve is pinched, damaged or inflamed, symptoms such as shooting pain, numbness, pins and needles or a nagging ache, can result. This is known as sciatica.
These symptoms can radiate along the length of the nerve all the way to the foot and are often worse when walking, running, climbing the stairs or straightening the leg.
I have a history of osteoarthritis. Could this be the cause of my sciatica?
Although in some people no cause can be found for their sciatica, it is usually caused by a herniated disc, irregular projections of bone due to osteoarthritis or swelling due to a sprained ligament.
Some people seem to be prone to sciatica with about 5 per cent of those with back pain experiencing leg symptoms as well.
Will I need surgery to cure the problem?
In many cases the pain goes away of its own accord with simple conservative measures. Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sleeping on a firm mattress, resting and applying heat and cold may be sufficient treatment. For others, sleeping on their sides with a pillow between their knees seems to relieve the discomfort. Exercises to stretch the hamstring muscles are also effective in relieving pain and other symptoms but must be done regularly and, where possible, under the direction of a physiotherapist.
Avoid sitting for long periods; carrying out activities while standing can help.
Although some people may need surgery to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, recent research has suggested that conservative treatment is equally effective in most cases.