Sciatica Symptoms
Sensation changes
- Of the back of the calf or the sole of the foot
- Numbness, decreased sensation
- Tingling, burning sensation
- Pain, may be severe
- Abnormal sensations
Weakness of the knee or foot
- Difficulty walking
- Inability to move the foot (in severe cases)
- Inability to bend the knee (in severe cases)
More detailed information about Sciatica Symptoms
Individuals with sciatica may experience some lower back pain, but the most common
symptom is pain that radiates through one buttock and down the back of that leg. The most
identified cause of the pain is compression or pressure on the sciatic nerve. The extent
of the pain varies between individuals. Some people describe pain that centers in the area
of the hip, and others perceive discomfort all the way to the foot. The quality of the
pain also varies; it may be described as tingling, burning, prickly, aching, or stabbing.
Onset of sciatica can be sudden, but it can also develop gradually. The pain may be
intermittent or continuous, and certain activities, such as bending, coughing, sneezing,
or sitting, may make the pain worse.
Chronic pain may arise from more than just compression on the nerve. According to some
pain researchers, physical damage to a nerve is only half of the equation. A developing
theory proposes that some nerve injuries result in a release of neurotransmitters and
immune system chemicals that enhance and sustain a pain message. Even after the injury has
healed, or the damage has been repaired, the pain continues. Control of this abnormal type
of pain is difficult. |
