There are a number of different causes of sciatica, most of which have to do with age-related deterioration of the spinal anatomy. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body, originating in the mid-lower back and running downward, branching off into the legs and feet. Compression or irritation of this nerve can cause a variety of symptoms, including radiating pain, tingling, numbness, or extreme weakness in the lower body.

Sciatica generally strikes people in their 30s and 40s, especially those whose lifestyles were active as teenagers and into their 20s. Degenerative spine conditions that lead to sciatic nerve compression can become accelerated if the spinal anatomy is exposed to a greater amount of stress and strain during the younger years.

What follows is a breakdown of the various causes of sciatica.

Bulging Discs

As the body ages, the intervertebral discs begin to lose water content and height. The discs, which are responsible for providing a cushion between the stacked vertebrae, are composed of two main parts: the gel-like nucleus pulposus inside, and the cartilaginous outer wall known as the annulus fibrosus. When a disc begins to deteriorate, the outer wall weakens and cannot stand up to the everyday pressures it’s tasked with enduring. Eventually, the weakened outer wall can be forced out of its normal boundary (a bulging disc). When this happens in the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine, the nearby sciatic nerve is at risk for compression.

Herniated Discs

Related to a bulging disc is a herniated disc, in which the outer wall has split or torn and has allowed a portion of the nucleus to extrude into the spinal canal. While a herniated disc does not always cause symptoms beyond localized pain and stiffness, if the extruded inner material makes contact with the sciatic nerve, it can lead to excruciating and debilitating symptoms in the buttocks, legs, feet, or toes. This set of symptoms is known collectively as sciatica.

Bone Spurs

In cases of spinal osteoarthritis, the body often attempts to make up for deterioration in spinal joints by growing extra bone in the area. This extra bone is known as an osteophyte, or bone spur. Bone spurs can occur at any level of the spine, but are most common in the lower back, where the spinal joints are exposed to the most wear and tear over the years. If a bone spur in the lumbar region grows large enough, it can begin to compress the sciatic nerve.

Piriformis Syndrome

The piriformis is a narrow muscle, triangular in shape, that is associated with the rotator muscles in the hips. It is found in the buttocks, extending from the front of the sacrum, through the pelvis and the hip joint, all the way to the top of the femur. It helps laterally rotate the hip in an outward motion.

Because the sciatic nerve runs so near the piriformis muscle, any inflammation or abnormal contraction of the muscle creates the risk of sciatic nerve compression, a condition known as piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is also known as “wallet sciatica,” because it often occurs in men whose wallets are thick enough to unbalance the spine while sitting. In addition, a small percentage of people are born with the sciatic nerve running through the piriformis muscle, rather than underneath it. People with this congenital abnormality are believed to suffer from piriformis syndrome more frequently than the rest of the population.

Spondylolisthesis

One of the little-known causes of sciatica is spondylolisthesis, or vertebral slippage. This occurs when one vertebra begins to slide over the one below it, and it is most common in the lower (lumbar) back. In its early stages, spondylolisthesis might not even be symptomatic. However, if a vertebra slips in the lumbar region, the sciatic nerve can be very much in jeopardy. Sciatica related to spondylolisthesis is relatively rare, and it can be difficult to treat in its more advanced stages without surgery.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of sciatica and several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for sciatica. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/sciatica_sciatic_nerve_pain/sciatic_nerve_treatments/conservative_sciatic_treatments/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of sciatica and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: sciatica