Symptoms of Sciatica

The human spinal column is hugely responsible for the peripheral nervous system connections in the body which is related to the movement of the extremities (arms, hands, legs and feet).

In our youth, particularly before the age of 30, our vertebrae are fully lubricated, explaining the agility and flexibility of movements executed by most young people. At the onset of age 30, the spine’s liquid dissipates, lessening the lubrication and causing the discs that make up the spine to become brittle – making these prone to breakage.  Once these discs lose their cushioning ability, some part of the discs wear away, enabling the nucleus to seep out and get close to the nerve.

When the nucleus puts pressure on the nerve, in this case, the sciatic nerve, it causes becomes irritated or inflamed from the pressure or the chemicals that make up the nucleus. An extremely sensitive nerve, the Sciatic nerve reacts even with just minimal contact of the nucleus. This is where Sciatica begins.

Understanding the Symptoms of Sciatica

Often affecting one side of the body, the pain caused by Sciatica can be intermittent yet irritating. Often described as debilitating, the pain could get worse. Starting from the lower back down to the buttocks and hamstrings, or back of the thighs; the pain continues until the leg and / or foot.

Symptoms / pain characteristics of Sciatica manifests in the following:

1. L4 Nerve root-type Sciatica involves lower back pain coupled with numbness or soreness in the legs and feet. The patient may not be able to elevate the upper portion of the foot (or do the point-and-flex exercise) and may notice that the ability to do knee-jerk reflex has significantly reduced.
2. L5 Nerve root-type Sciatica patients experience lower back pain with numbness on the upper portion of the foot, particularly in the web between the first and second toe. Extending the big toe and the ankle may be quite difficult for sufferers of this type.
3. S1 Nerve root-type Sciatica sufferers may find difficulty in doing a ballet-type walk (tiptoeing) because pain is felt most at the heel part. There is also numbness in the outer foot. The ankle-jerk ability is significantly reduced.
4. Sacroillac joint dysfunction that causes pressure on the sacral nerve roots shows symptoms such as: severe aching on the insides of the leg,  characteristic of numbness or pain usually related  with Sciatica.
5. Pressure caused by the Piriformis Muscle on the sciatic nerve is responsible for numbness or pain in the leg characteristic of true Sciatica. Starting from the buttocks part, it does not usually bring pain to the lower back. The pain in this symptom is more prevalent in the upper part of the knees. This kind of pressure often tightens and irritates the sciatic nerve.

 

To be sure of Sciatica symptoms, it should be made clear that the sciatic nerve has been pinched or pressured and it causes pain in the leg. If the leg pain emanates from the joint, then it is called a referred pain and should not be confused with true sciatica to avoid mistreatments.