Sciatica develops when the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve become irritated, compressed, or inflamed, usually in the lower back. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower spine through the buttocks and down each leg, so pressure on one of its nerve roots can cause pain that radiates from the lower back or buttock into the thigh, calf, or foot. A herniated disk is the most common cause, but spinal stenosis, bone spurs, spondylolisthesis, and back injuries can also contribute. Symptoms may include sharp or burning pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected leg.
At our emergency room in Eagle Pass, back pain is among the common conditions evaluated through outpatient care. When symptoms require further assessment, we also provide on-site diagnostic imaging, including CT scans, along with laboratory services. If severe pain, sudden weakness, significant numbness, or bowel or bladder changes develop, prompt medical evaluation is important.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is not a disease by itself. It describes a pattern of pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that form it. The sciatic nerve is the body’s largest nerve and extends from the lower back through the buttocks and down the back of each leg.
Sciatica typically affects one side of the body. Pain may feel sharp, burning, shooting, or similar to an electric shock. Some people also experience tingling, numbness, or weakness in the leg or foot. Symptoms can become more noticeable with prolonged sitting, coughing, sneezing, or certain movements.
What Causes Sciatica?
Understanding what causes sciatica starts with understanding how pressure on the lower spinal nerves affects the sciatic nerve. Several conditions can narrow the space around these nerves or place direct pressure on them.
Herniated Disk
A herniated disk is the most common cause of sciatica. Spinal disks sit between the vertebrae and act as cushions. When the soft inner material pushes through a weakened or torn outer layer, the disk can press against a nearby nerve root.
If the affected nerve root contributes to the sciatic nerve, the resulting pressure and inflammation can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels down the leg.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when spaces within the spine become narrower. This narrowing can place pressure on spinal nerves, including the nerve roots associated with the sciatic nerve. Age-related changes can contribute to spinal narrowing, and symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the back or legs.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are bony growths that can develop as the spine changes over time. If a bone spur narrows the space where a spinal nerve passes, it can irritate or compress the nerve root and contribute to sciatica.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips out of its normal position relative to another vertebra. This can reduce available space around spinal nerves and potentially contribute to nerve compression and sciatica symptoms.
Back Injuries
Trauma to the lower back can irritate or damage structures around the spine and may contribute to sciatic nerve symptoms. Injuries from falls, vehicle collisions, sports accidents, or other significant trauma should receive appropriate medical evaluation, particularly when pain is severe or accompanied by neurological symptoms. Soft tissue injuries can also cause pain and swelling around affected areas
Spinal Tumors
Rarely, a tumor can place pressure on a spinal nerve root and cause symptoms resembling sciatica. Because tumors are uncommon causes, persistent, unusual, or progressively worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional rather than assumed to be routine sciatica.
What Are the Risk Factors for Sciatica?
Knowing what causes sciatica is only part of understanding why some people are more likely to develop it. Certain factors can increase the likelihood of conditions that affect the lower spine and its nerves. Back pain causes can include several spinal, muscular, and structural problems that may overlap with risk factors for sciatica.
- Age: Herniated disks are more common in adults between 20 and 50, while bone changes become more common with age.
- Prolonged Sitting: Sitting for long periods may contribute to problems involving the lower back and spinal disks.
- Physically Demanding Work: Repeated heavy lifting, twisting, or physically demanding activities can place additional stress on the back.
- Excess Weight: Higher body weight can increase stress on the spine.
- Limited Physical Activity: Lack of regular movement can contribute to reduced back and core strength.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk of nerve damage and may contribute to nerve-related symptoms.
What Does Sciatica Feel Like?
Sciatica can produce different symptoms depending on which nerve root is affected and how much pressure or irritation is present. Sciatica commonly affects one side of the body. If you have only lower back pain without pain traveling along the leg, the symptoms may have another cause.
Common symptoms include:
- Sharp or burning pain from the lower back or buttock into the leg
- Pain that travels below the knee
- Tingling or pins-and-needles sensations
- Numbness in part of the leg or foot
- Muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot
- Pain that becomes worse with prolonged sitting
- Pain that increases with coughing or sneezing
Pain in the middle portion of the back may have different causes and can be associated with middle back pain.
Can Sitting Cause Sciatica?
Sitting by itself does not necessarily cause sciatica, but prolonged sitting may contribute to conditions that affect the lower back and spinal disks. Long periods of sitting can also make existing sciatic pain more noticeable. If your work or daily routine requires extended sitting, changing positions regularly, maintaining good posture, and staying physically active may help support back health.
How Is Sciatica Diagnosed?
A healthcare professional generally begins by reviewing your symptoms and medical history and performing a physical examination. The location of pain, muscle strength, sensation, reflexes, and movement can help determine whether a spinal nerve may be involved.
Imaging is not automatically required for every case of sciatica. When symptoms are severe, persistent, associated with concerning findings, or suggest another underlying condition, diagnostic imaging may be considered.
If imaging is medically appropriate, CT scan near me is one service available through STAT Specialty Hospital. STAT’s website lists on-site CT scans among its diagnostic imaging services.
When Is Sciatica an Emergency?
Most sciatica is not a medical emergency. However, certain neurological symptoms can signal serious nerve compression that requires immediate medical attention. If you experience these warning signs, do not wait for symptoms to resolve on their own. Seek immediate emergency medical care at an ER near me.
Seek emergency care if you experience:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control: New difficulty controlling urination or bowel movements can be an emergency warning sign.
- Difficulty urinating: Being unable to urinate normally alongside severe back or leg symptoms requires immediate evaluation.
- Numbness around the groin or buttocks: Numbness in the saddle area can indicate significant nerve compression.
- Severe or worsening weakness: Rapidly increasing weakness in one or both legs requires urgent assessment.
- Severe symptoms in both legs: Bilateral neurological symptoms may indicate a more serious spinal condition.
What Can You Do for Sciatica?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. Many cases improve with conservative measures and time. Staying gently active, avoiding prolonged bed rest, and following appropriate guidance from a healthcare professional may support recovery. Physical therapy and other treatments may be recommended depending on the cause and severity. Severe nerve-related pain can sometimes be difficult to manage and may overlap with other most painful conditions that require medical evaluation.
When Should You Seek Medical Care for Sciatica?
Many cases of sciatica improve over time, but persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms should not be ignored. Contact a healthcare professional if your pain continues despite self-care, becomes increasingly severe, or interferes with normal activities. If you need urgent evaluation, checking the ER wait time can help you plan your visit.
Prompt medical evaluation is especially important when symptoms include:
- New or worsening leg weakness
- Significant numbness
- Severe pain after a fall, collision, or other trauma
- Symptoms that progressively interfere with walking or daily activities
- New bowel or bladder problems
STAT Specialty Hospital for Back Pain and Emergency Care
Sciatic pain can make walking, sitting, working, and everyday activities difficult. While many cases improve with appropriate care, severe or unusual symptoms deserve timely medical attention. STAT Specialty Hospital provides 24/7 emergency care and outpatient services for conditions including back pain. The hospital also offers on-site imaging, including CT scans, and on-site laboratory services to support timely evaluation when medically indicated.
If you are experiencing severe back or leg pain, sudden weakness, significant numbness, or symptoms following an injury, seek prompt medical evaluation.
Key Takeaways
- Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve or its spinal nerve roots become irritated or compressed.
- Spinal stenosis, bone spurs, spondylolisthesis, and back injuries can also cause sciatic nerve symptoms.
- New bowel or bladder problems, saddle-area numbness, or severe and worsening weakness require immediate medical evaluation.
- STAT Specialty Hospital provides 24/7 emergency care, outpatient care for back pain, and on-site diagnostic imaging, including CT scans.