It’s easy to confuse sciatica and a herniated disc with one another or simply chalk them both up to back pain, but there are signs that can point toward one specific cause. Sciatica is a symptom of nerve pain that typically travels from the lower back through the hip and buttock and down the leg. It occurs when the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that contribute to it become irritated or compressed. Sciatica can often be felt along the back or side of the leg and may cause symptoms such as sharp or burning pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. One possible cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lower spine.
A herniated disc is a structural problem that occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through a weakened or damaged area of its outer layer. This can happen because of age-related degeneration, injury, repetitive stress, or other changes within the spine. Unlike sciatica, which describes a pattern of nerve-related symptoms, a herniated disc describes what is happening to the spinal disc itself. A herniated disc may cause localized lower back pain, but if the disc presses against a nearby nerve, it can also cause radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness into the leg.
So, while sciatica and a herniated disc are not the same thing, they can be connected. A herniated disc is one of several conditions that can cause sciatica, while not everyone with a herniated disc will experience sciatic symptoms. Because several spinal conditions can produce similar symptoms, getting a proper evaluation is important for determining what may be causing your pain.
If you’re experiencing persistent back pain, radiating leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, don’t simply assume it’s ordinary back pain. Axis Spine and Orthopedics can evaluate your symptoms and help determine the underlying cause so you can understand your treatment options. Contact us at (618) 607-0061 or visit our website to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward getting BACK to It.
