Understanding Sciatica and its Causes
Sciatica and its causes can become all-too-familiar to those who suffer from the effects of compression of the sciatic nerve. Yet, despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans can expect to experience back pain at some point, there remains a great deal of confusion in the public arena about the actual definition of sciatica and the degenerative spine conditions that can give rise to it. This is a problem, primarily, of language - there are many colloquial terms used to refer to sciatica and the conditions that cause it, which naturally can lead to confusion
Defining Sciatica and Identifying its Causes
Perhaps you've heard someone say they have a "pinched nerve," or a "slipped disc," in their lower back. The symptoms they'll describe might include a tingling sensation in one of their hamstring muscles, or chronic numbness in one of their feet. Chances are, that person is suffering from compression of the sciatic nerve, which produces a set of symptoms that collectively are known as sciatica. "Pinched nerve" and "slipped disc" are only two of the colloquial terms often used interchangeably - and, it must be said, incorrectly - with sciatica and its various causes.
Common Degenerative Spine Conditions
"Pinched nerve," "slipped disc," and the like are fine in casual conversation, but if you happen to be the one suffering from sciatica, you are more than likely going to want more specific information from your physician or spine specialist.
Specific sciatica causes include the following degenerative spine conditions:
- Bulging disc - the protrusion of a portion of the outer wall of an intervertebral disc.
- Herniated disc - the extrusion into the spinal canal of the gel-like inner material of an intervertebral disc through a tear in the outer wall.
- Spinal osteoarthritis - the degeneration of cartilage that lines the vertebral joints.
- Vertebral body displacement - also known as spondylolisthesis, which is the slippage of one vertebra over another
- Spinal stenosis - the narrowing of the spinal canal, or of the nerve pathways associated with the spinal anatomy.
- Ligament calcification - the loss of flexibility and tensile strength of spinal ligaments.
If you begin to experience chronic lower back pain, radiating pain in the lower extremities, or a loss of sensation in the legs or feet, there' s a chance you may have sciatica. To avoid confusion, visit your physician to receive an accurate diagnosis.
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