Describe sciatica
In the human body, the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve, according to Oxford Spine Singapore. It emerges from lumbar spine nerves, passes through the buttock and back of the thigh, and then branches out to the heel and sole of the foot. This nerve may experience discomfort as it travels if it is inflamed or compressed. A "slipped disc" in the lower back crushes one of the spinal nerves that make up the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica, or lower back pain that radiates down the leg. Most people with this form of discomfort have self-limiting relief within 4 to 8 weeks.
Why do you get sciatica?
The term "sciatica" is used to describe a group of symptoms caused by an underlying medical condition, such as.
A back herniated disc
Herniated lumbar discs, often known as sliding discs, are to blame for the majority of cases of sciatica. The intervertebral discs in your spine serve as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. They are located there between them. The soft, gel-like center of the discs (nucleus) is encased in a robust shell (annulus).
A herniated disc might arise from the annulus rupturing because the nucleus may partially protrude and put pressure on one or more spinal nerves. Despite the fact that a herniated disc can happen anywhere along the spine, it is most frequently seen in the lumbar spine (lower back), where it can cause sciatica and low back discomfort.
Spinal stenosis in the lower back
The effects of the progressive wear-and-tear condition lumbar spinal stenosis include compression of the nerve roots and a narrowing of the spinal canal. Moreover, this could cause symptoms like sciatica and low back pain comparable to those from a herniated disc, which go worse with movement and get better with rest. Many indicate that after a certain amount of walking, they get stiffness, numbness, or weakness in their legs, which goes away when they rest. The signs could progressively get worse over time.
Because lumbar spinal stenosis takes time to develop, older people are more likely to experience it than younger ones. A bulging disc, thickening of the ligaments, and hypertrophy (overgrowth) of the joints between the lumbar vertebrae are some of the most common causes (facet joints). Younger individuals are more likely to have herniated lumbar discs.
Spondylolisthesis
One of the lumbar vertebrae in this illness became misaligned with the vertebra below it, which may also result in spinal nerve roots being compressed. Among the most frequent causes of spondylolisthesis, degenerative spondylolisthesis can arise for a variety of reasons (due to progressive wear and tear). It frequently occurs together with lumbar spinal stenosis and may be a sign of spinal instability. Although back pain may be more common in situations with spinal instability, the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis are often comparable to those of back pain.
Osteoarthritis
Bone spurs that develop as a result of osteoarthritis in the spine have the potential to entrap the spinal nerve roots and cause sciatica.
Sciatica symptoms and warning signs
Depending on the underlying illness, sciatica can arise suddenly or gradually. For example, arthritis pain can come on suddenly, but it often gets worse and worse over time. Yet, a few of the typical symptoms are as follows:
- Lower back pain that radiates to the buttock, the thigh, the foot, and even the lower leg. Usually, this discomfort is described as scorching or shooting.
- Tingling or numbness in the legs. This typically happens where there is discomfort.
- Notable instances of leg weakness.
- Situations where bowel and bladder control are severely impaired.
- One was the injured leg. Herniated disc-related sciatica often only causes discomfort in one leg, but in extreme cases, both legs may be affected.
Certain circumstances, such as sitting or attempting to stand up, twisting the spine, or leaning forward, may make sciatica pain worse. It is common to have some sort of alleviation while lying down or moving slowly.
Who is susceptible to sciatica?
Those who work jobs that require a lot of lifting, sitting, or stooping are more likely to get sciatica. When sitting, standing, kneeling, carrying, and moving large objects, a straight posture is necessary. It's crucial to maintain your weight, exercise frequently, and stop smoking.
How is sciatic pain identified?
If the sciatica patient's symptoms are minor or shortly to go away, specialized testing might not be required. An MRI scan may be helpful to identify the underlying cause of the issue and direct the course of treatment in cases with more severe symptoms or when the symptoms do not change over time. Further testing and diagnosis might be necessary for those who have special symptoms or underlying problems. This includes persons who have recently developed limb weakness or issues with managing their bowels or bladder, as well as those who have recently had trauma, fever, weight loss, low appetite, a history of malignancy, or who are immunosuppressed.
In Singapore, how is sciatica treated?
Health care and drug use
The cornerstone of treatment is frequently a blend of symptom-relieving medications and physical therapy. A physiotherapist can create a treatment plan to increase flexibility, strengthen the back, and correct posture.
Injection treatment
In some situations, steroid injections may be helpful for symptom control, especially if medicine is not working as intended.
Surgery
With the earlier therapies, the majority of patients recover in 4 to 8 weeks. Surgery might be suggested, though, if the symptoms are extremely severe or do not get better with time. Surgery is frequently recommended in cases where bowel or bladder function is weak or compromised. Surgery aims to treat the underlying problem that causes nerve compression in addition to relieving pressure on the nerves. Minimally invasive methods are often used to do this because they have quicker recovery times.