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Introduction to Siatic
Nerve |
The largest nerve in the human body is the sciatic nerve. Siatica
nerve extends down from both sides of the lower spine through
the back of the thigh to the foot. Siatic nerves serves as a
connection between the spinal cord and the leg/feet muscles.
When this siatic nerve is compressed or irritated it causes pain
in the adjoining areas. In itself sciatica is a symptom after
which tests are conducted to determine its cause. One may feel
pain, weakness, numbness and discomfort in the legs or back
which is the result of the sciatic nerve being compressed.
How does it happen?
Doctors have identified various nerve roots in the main sciatic
nerve. Siatic pain is caused by the irritation of one of these
nerve roots. The most commonly diagnosed reason for siatic pain
is a herniated disc which compresses the L5 or S1 nerve root
found in the lower spine. Under this condition a patient suffers
from numbness and prickling sensations in the back of the thigh
and calf which sometimes goes down to the feet. Other diseases
such as degenerative discs may also result in sciatic pain.
A mechanical compression of the siatic nerve as a result of
spondylolisthesis, arthritis or spinal stenosis may also cause
the pain. Generally most siatic pain cases are the result of
simple irritation to the nerve which can be recovered through
conservative care. However some sciatic pain could be diagnosed
as more serious injury to the siatic nerves. In such cases one
must undergo proper treatment which may even require surgery to
recover from the damage to the nerve.
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