Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica nerve pain starts when the main nerve
into your leg, the sciatic nerve, is irritated, pinched, or
compressed in some way. This can happen for one
or more of several reasons; the following are the main
causes of sciatica:
| Lumbar herniated
disc |
The
discs in your spine are like shock absorbers that
also allow your back to bend and swivel. As you
grow older, the discs can become weak or damaged,
and a disc can bulge out or even split, and pinch
or put pressure on your sciatic nerve. This is the
usual reason for sciatica. |
| Lumbar spinal
stenosis |
The
various roots of your sciatic nerve pass through
narrow passageways in your spine. Sometimes one of
these can become smaller (this is known as
stenosis), and in that way can pinch, irritate or
put pressure on your sciatic nerve. |
| Degenerative Disc
Disease |
The
discs in your spine age just as you do, and they
are subject to wear and tear like the rest of your
body. DDD is just another way of saying that your
discs are getting old and one of them has given
way, hence pinching, irritating or putting pressure
on your sciatic nerve. Changes such as
osteoarthritis can also cause sciatica. |
| Piriformis
Syndrome |
The
Piriformis muscle lies in your lower back.
Sometimes this can spasm and cause sciatica
symptoms (but it isn't, strictly speaking,
sciatica). |
| Isthmic
Spondylolisthesis |
A
stress fracture in L5 (the fifth lumbar vertebra)
can cause disc movement and hence sciatica
symptoms. |
| Pregnancy |
The
extra weight and strain on your spine due to
carrying a baby can cause sciatica; it usually goes
away when you give birth. |
| Tumours |
These
can, if in the wrong place, irritate or compress
the sciatic nerve and produce sciatica; but this is
rare. |
| Trauma |
Any
accident that causes sudden compression of the
sciatic nerve can produce sciatica; for example a
car accident, falling off a ladder, a collision in
a team sport such as rugby. Such accidents could
indirectly cause sciatica by, for example, breaking
a bone that then puts pressure on the sciatic
nerve. |
But What are the Real Causes of
Sciatica?
But why should any of the above incidents happen? Some of
them need no further discussion (eg pregnancy!), but those
involving various spine problems can occur, or increase your
risk of suffering from sciatica, as follows:
| Age |
As
you get old, the discs in your spine age, and this
can cause disc problems (eg DDD as
above). |
| Job |
If
your job needs you to lift heavy objects
frequently, or twist your spine frequently, or
drive on the road for extended periods, then you
are more at risk of getting sciatica. Sitting all
day peering at a computer screen or game console,
especially if slumped in a chair with bent spine,
are also risky. |
| Activity |
Sitting for extended
periods puts you at risk of sciatica (especially if
you have a wallet or bunch of keys on one pocket!).
Exercise in general is not usually a problem, but
walking and jogging have been associated with
increased risk of sciatica. Mothers should be
careful lifting babies, especially in and out of a
high chair or a car. |
| Diabetes |
This
can increase your risk of nerve damage, and hence
sciatica. |
Changes to the way you move and your posture
prevent sciatica getting worse and can really help to
prevent the symptoms becoming severe — this is described here.
Do you think you might have sciatica? Check with the
symptoms.
| 