1. Sciatica Slideshow Pictures
2. Back Pain Myths & Facts Pictures
3. Nerve Pain Slideshow

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Sciatica facts
• What is sciatica?
• What are causes of sciatica?
• What are risk factors for sciatica?
• What are sciatica symptoms?
• How is sciatica diagnosed?
• What are treatment options for sciatica?
• What is the outlook (prognosis) for patients with sciatica?
• Can sciatica be prevented?
• Pictures of Sciatica - Slideshow
• Pictures of Back Pain Myths & Facts - Slideshow
• Pictures of Nerve Pain - Slideshow
• Patient Comments: Sciatica - Causes
• Patient Comments: Sciatica - Medications
• Patient Comments: Sciatica - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Sciatica - Describe Your Experience
• Find a local Orthopedic Surgeon in your town
• Sciatica Index

Risk factors for sciatica include degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, lumbar disc disease, and trauma or injury to the lumbar spine.

Sciatica causes pain, a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back and upper buttock down the back of the thigh to the back of the leg. The result is lumbar pain, buttock pain, hip pain, and leg pain. Sometimes the pain radiates around the hip or buttock to feel like hip pain. While sciatica is often associated with lower back pain (lumbago), it can be present without low back pain. Severe sciatica can make walking difficult if not impossible. Sometimes the symptoms of sciatica are aggravated by walking or bending at the waist and relieved by lying down. The pain relief by changing positions can be partial or complete.

Sciatica is diagnosed with a physical exam and medical history. The typical symptoms and certain examination maneuvers help the health care professional to diagnose sciatica. Sometimes, X-rays and other tests, such as CT scan, MRI scan, and electromyogram, are used to further define the exact causes of sciatica.