What are causes of sciatica?
While sciatica is most commonly a result of a disc herniation directly pressing on the nerve, any cause of irritation or inflammation of this nerve can reproduce the symptoms of sciatica. These causes include irritation of the nerve from adjacent bone, tumors, muscle, internal bleeding, infections, injury, and other causes.
Sciatica is caused by inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve or nerve roots in the lower spine. It may also be caused by damage to nerve roots. Sciatica is not a disease in itself and its causes are various.
*Compression of a nerve is often referred to as a "pinched nerve." A "pinched nerve" in the lower spine causes sciatica.
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lower back) that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve or a nerve root. A herniated disc can occur suddenly and cause acute pain or it may develop gradually.
*To see details of herniated disc click on the link named “Herniated disc”
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the spinal column that causes compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It can cause sciatica if it occurs in the lower back.
In advanced osteoarthritis of the spine, bits of cartilage may break off and float around inside the spinal joints. This causes irritation and inflammation and if it occurs in the lower back may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
In advanced osteoarthritis of the spine, bits of cartilage may break off and float around inside the spinal joints. This causes irritation and inflammation and if it occurs in the lower back may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
*To see details of Spinal stenosis click on the link named “Spinal stenosis”
Spondylolisthesis – when one vertebra slips over another – occurs most often in the lower back – where the misaligned vertebrae may place pressure on the sciatic nerve.
*To see details of Spondylolisthesis click on the link named “Spondylolisthesis”
A less common cause of sciatica is Piriformis syndrome, a disorder in which a muscle located in the buttocks (the piriformis muscle) contracts and irritates the sciatic nerve. In this case, the pain starts in the buttocks and radiates down the leg. Piriformis syndrome is generally treated with stretching exercises, massage, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
*To see details of Piriformis click on the link named “Piriformis”
Something as simple as muscle strain can cause inflammation, which may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment