Sciatic Nerve Symptoms

Back problems in and of themselves can cause a great deal of pain. But when a back problem places any sort of pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can make that pain a whole lot worse. The sciatic nerve, which originates in the spine and runs all the way down each of our legs, is quite susceptible to compression and injury, especially as we age, causing something known as sciatica. That being said, sciatica itself isn't actually a condition on its own. This pain is usually a symptom of another condition. However, it isn't uncommon for pressure on the sciatic nerve to cause a grouping of its own symptoms, separate from the instigating condition.

Pain

• The most common symptom involving problems with the sciatic nerve is pain. This pain often starts somewhere in the lower back and runs down into the buttock through the back of the entire leg. Depending on the severity of the pressure, pain is dull to sharp in its intensity and can last anywhere from a week to months.

Numbness

• Pressure along the sciatic nerve can also cause numbness. This numbness can affect the foot, a portion of the leg or the entire limb and up into the buttock. Whether or not it is accompanied by pain will depend on the compression, but it may cause a reduction or delay in the reflexes.

Discomfort

• Besides the pain and numbness, it is also possible for irritation of the sciatic nerve to cause a discomfort within the toes and foot of the affected leg. This discomfort feels like a prickling or tingling feeling within some area of the foot. In some cases, this sensation may emanate up into the lower leg.

Weakness

• With much more severe compression to the sciatic nerve, a person can start to experience weakness. And much like the symptom of numbness, weakness can be isolated to the foot, a portion of the leg or the entire limb. This is largely due to the inability to pass impulses into the leg telling it move, making it difficult for some people to walk or even stand.

Incontinence

• In very critical cases of compression, a person can lose control of his bladder, bowels or both. The reason for this incontinence is a compression so severe that it essentially "paralyzes" a portion or entirety of an organ that controls urination or bowel movement.