Lumbar Radiculopathy/Sciatica

Lumbar radiculopathy (or sciatica) is a chronic pain condition treated at the Center for Pain Management. Lumbar radiculopathy is characterized by leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Most people with sciatic nerve pain (sometimes called lumbar radiculitis) experience improvement over time and do not need surgical treatment(s). For others, however, sciatica can be severe and debilitating.

Radiculopathy—the clinical diagnosis of sciatica—means that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the spinal column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the low back, which ultimately forms part of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica is merely a symptom of a problem—of something compressing or irritating the nerve roots that comprise the sciatic nerve—rather than an actual medical diagnosis or medical disorder. This is an important distinction because it is the underlying diagnosis that often needs to be treated so that sciatic nerve pain can be eliminated. Common causes of sciatica are spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, lumbar herniated disc or spondylolisthesis.

Sciatica occurs most frequently in people between 30 and 50 years of age. Most often a particular event or injury does not cause sciatica.  Sciatica tends to develop as a result of usual wear and tear on of the lower spine and its structures.

Contact the Center for Pain Management, experts in treating lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica).