What Are the Causes of a Sciatic Nerve?

The sciatic nerve is the nerve that starts within your spinal cord and goes through your buttock, hip and, finally, through each leg. There are five sets of nerve pairs that comprise of the sciatic nerve (Abitbol). If one of these nerves gets pinched within the spine, it can cause sciatic nerve pain. Even a disc that protrudes from the spine (a herniated disc) can cause symptoms of the sciatic nerve. There are several issues that can cause sciatic nerve pain.

Herniated Disc

• As you age, the disks within your spine begin to deteriorate. Within the disks are jelly-like substances (nucleus pulposus). If the outer layer of the disk (annulus fibrosus), which is fibrous, begins to tear, it allows for the jelly-like substance to leak out (Abitbol). A herniated disk then occurs. The herniated disk presses upon a nerve which can cause pain in your legs and back and inflammation of the nerve. If the herniated disc occurs from the middle to the lower part of the back, you may feel tingling sensations in your buttock, legs or feet (Mayo Clinic).

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

• Spinal nerves are much like branches within a tree. They are housed within passageways called spinal canals (Abitbol). Spinal stenosis occurs when one of the nerves within this channel become compressed. Pressure is put on the spinal cord and possibly one or more of the surrounding nerves.

Spondylolisthesis

• Spondylolisthesi is a degenerative disc disease. It happens when one disc slides forward on top of another vertebrae (Arbitbol). A spinal nerve may become pinched, which can cause sciatic nerve pain in your legs.

Piriformis Syndrome

• The piriformis are muscles above the sciatic nerves that start at the lower spine and then connect to the thighbones (Mayo Clinic). If the muscles spasm or become irritated, the sciatic nerve becomes pinched. If you sit for too long, or have suffered from an injury, this can contribute to sciatic nerve pain.

Tumors

• Tumors can grow upon the spine (whether cancerous or benign) or inside the meninges (membranes that cover the spinal cord). As a tumor begins to enlarge, it can press upon a nerve and cause nerve pain. Tumors of this type are rare.

Other Casues

• Other issues, such as car accidents or injuries to the spine, can cause sciatic nerve pain. Even if you are injured from playing sports, if fragments from broken bones compress on the nerves, it can cause pain as well (Arbitol). Exercise and even the increased weight gained during pregnancy can contribute to sciatic nerve pain.