PAIN EDUCATION • LOW BACK, NERVE ROOTS & LEG
Sciatica / Radicular Pain
Sciatica describes pain that travels along the sciatic nerve distribution, often from irritation or compression of a lumbar nerve root.
UNDERSTAND THE REGION
Anatomy matters.
Symptoms in the same body region can come from different tissues and may feel similar. A clinical evaluation helps determine which structures may be involved.
This page is educational and does not diagnose the cause of your symptoms.
Lumbar / Lumbosacral Region — interactive 3DDrag/rotate and zoom inside the NIH 3D viewer when supported.
Region-specific educational anatomy. Open the NIH 3D model in a new tab if the embedded viewer is unavailable. This model is for education and does not diagnose the cause of pain.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
What may contribute to sciatica / radicular pain?
Common categories
- Disc herniation
- Degenerative narrowing / spinal stenosis
- Foraminal narrowing
- Inflammation around a nerve root
- Other causes of referred leg pain
Evaluation may include
- Medical history and symptom review
- Medication review
- Focused physical / neurologic examination
- Review of prior records or imaging
- Additional testing or referral when indicated
Care may include
- Clinical examination
- Medication options when appropriate
- Physical therapy / activity modification
- Imaging when clinically indicated
- Specialist or interventional referral when appropriate
Seek urgent or emergency care for concerning symptoms
New severe weakness, major trauma, loss of bowel or bladder control, chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke-like symptoms, rapidly worsening neurologic symptoms, or other severe/rapidly worsening symptoms may require urgent or emergency evaluation. Call 911 for an emergency.