sciatica knee
Sciatica (often misspelled as "syatica" or "psyatica") is pain resulting from irritation of one of the sciatic nerve (one to the right and left), and includes pain in the hip and buttock area that may extend partially or all the way to the back of the leg to the foot. The begin as small sciatic nerve roots that branch from the bottom of the spine. Component nerve roots come together in the pelvis to form the sciatic nerve. Each sciatic nerve then extends out the back of each thigh and divides into two parts below the knee and the two halves of continuing in the lower leg to the foot.
While there are several possible causes of sciatica, by far the most common source of sciatic nerve irritation is a bulging or herniated disk in his lower lumbar spine. A damaged disc may protrude into the opening where one of the nerve root exits the spinal column which is the way to join the nerve roots as part of the sciatic nerve. The bulging disc may create direct nerve pressure, and / or may cause inflammation and swelling, which can also cause pressure on the nerve. When this occurs, pain and other symptoms may be felt part along the path of the sciatic nerve, beginning in the buttock area and possibly running down the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot.
Furthermore disk protruding openings of the spine for the nerves can be reduced by bone spurs or other bone formations related to spinal degeneration. In some cases, sciatica can result from direct trauma to the nerve after it exits the pelvis, such as what can happen if there is a direct impact or strong pressure applied to the lower region of buttock. Rare sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, which can compress sciatic nerve roots, since the output of the spine. Another cause little frequent sciatica is a cyst or tumor that compresses the sciatic nerve in the hip or knee area.
Not every buttock or leg pain than people think that really is sciatica sciatica. True sciatica (sciatic nerve irritation) is usually felt mostly in the back of the leg (not the front or side of the leg). Symptoms of true sciatica can take different forms and can be described as tingling, burning, stabbing pain, pain, electric shock, numbness or heaviness. But even if symptoms seem to sciatica, which are not always real due to irritation of the sciatic nerve.
A common condition that mimics sciatica is caused by contraction of knots called trigger points in a muscle called the piriformis. The piriformis muscles are located on both sides from the bottom of the buttocks that runs from the thigh bone to the edge of the sacrum (the triangular pelvic bone that is at the base of the spine). Besides causing symptoms that mimic sciatica, tightness in the piriformis muscle may also cause true sciatic irritation, because the sciatic nerve actually passes through the center of the piriformis muscle in some people, and can be compressed by excessive muscle contraction.
Trigger points in other muscles of the buttocks and upper thigh can cause referred pain into the leg side that can be mistaken for sciatica as well. Keep in mind that true sciatica and the syndrome piriformis are associated with symptoms that are primarily felt in the back of the leg. If symptoms are in the front or side of the leg, there is a good chance that the problem is sciatica.
The treatment of sciatica is usually associated with the treatment of a herniated disc. The first line of treatment is usually an attempt to reduce inflammation to reduce pressure on the nerve by oral medications. For more potent anti-inflammatory effects, steroid injections, as the backbone cortisone can be used. A variety of other types of treatment can also be used, such as physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic spinal manipulation or osteopathy, acupuncture, or one of the newest forms of treatment, spinal decompression. In some situations, surgery may be recommended as a last resort.
In most cases, an episode of sciatica resolve even without treatment within several weeks, but given the intensity pain, most patients will not wait to go on their own and seek treatment. Unfortunately, due to misconceptions by doctors and patients about the nature of sciatica, the necessary measures to prevent the return of sciatica are usually not taken. So while most people recover from an attack of sciatica, nearly all in the end will have trouble again at some point. Even sciatica patients initially treated successfully with surgery often have future problems with sciatica.
The good news is that with the knowledge of how to manage sciatica and a little effort devoted to prevention, most people can avoid long-term course of sciatica problems. The challenge is simply to make people aware of the need to manage a "" versus "cure" approach to sciatica and getting them to follow through prevention exercises and other techniques of self-care.
Dr. George Best has produced a free ebook and online video program on Sciatica and Sciatica Exercises. For more information, visit: http://www.SciaticaSelfCare.com
Holistic Health, Fitness & Nutrition Counselor Orange County
