Recognizing the Symptoms of Sciatica

We just finished discussing the causes of Sciatica. If the sciatic nerve is injured, compress or becomes inflamed or irritated, it causes symptoms called sciatica or sciatic nerve pain. Patients experience different symptoms and to a varying degree. My sciatica causes a deep aching pain, on the left side, felt both on the front of my thigh and at the same time runs down the back of leg into my calf. My husband's sciatica symptoms are a bit different. They include a stabbing pain down the back of his thigh running down his leg, into his foot. Sometimes he just has symptoms in the bottom of his foot that are a jabbing and sometimes cramping pain.

Sciatica Symptoms May Include:

• Most people describe a deep, severe pain that starts low on one side of the back and then shoots down the buttock and the leg with certain movements.
• Dull, sharp, stabbing, aching and/or burning pain.
• Tingling and numbness.
• Coughing, sneezing and a hard bowel movement can intensify the pain.
• Pain may be accompanied by intermittent shocks of shooting pain beginning in the buttock traveling downward into the back or side of the thigh and/or leg and can extend all the way down to the feet.
• Sitting and trying to stand up may be painful and difficult.
• The pain is usually worse with sitting or standing for a long time.
• Some people describe the worst pain when trying to stand from a low sitting position, such as standing up after sitting on a toilet seat
• Bending backward can also make the pain worse.
• You may also notice a weakness in your leg or foot, along with the pain. The weakness may become so bad you can't move your foot.

When to Seek Medical Care

Call your doctor if any of the following conditions occur:

• The pain is not improving after several days or seems to be getting worse.
• You can't pick up your foot when sitting or when you try to walk (drop foot).
• You presently have or have had a history of cancer.
• You have lost a large amount of weight recently or have unexplained chills and with back pain.
• You are HIV positive, or you use IV drugs.
• You continue to have trouble bending forward after more than a week or two.
• You notice weakness is getting more pronounced over time.

You should go to a hospital's emergency department if any of the following occur along with sciatica.

• The pain is unbearable, despite trying first aid methods as described in the section (try getting a hold of your family doctor or pain management doctor first in this situation as you may be treated more quickly and as your doctor knows you they most likely won't be afraid to give you pain medication.
• The pain follows a violent injury, such as a fall from a ladder or an automobile crash.
• The pain is in the back of your chest.
• You are unable to move or feel your legs or feet.
• You lose control of your bowels or bladder or have numbness in your genitals.
• You have a high temperature (over 101°F).

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References:
eMedicineHealth.com Sciatica Article Page 4