Signs & Symptoms of Sciatic Pain

Sciatica is a condition in which pain radiates along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the back, through the buttocks and down the leg. It is the longest nerve in the body. Sciatica is not a medical condition, but a symptom of a medical condition that causes this nerve to be pinched. Herniated spinal discs are the most common cause of sciatica. Sciatica can cause acute or chronic pain, depending on the cause. When the pain is acute, it typically subsides in approximately four to eight weeks with little or no medical intervention. When the pain is chronic, medical intervention is often necessary to alleviate it.

Radiating Pain

• Radiating pain is the most common symptom of sciatica. This pain varies greatly from person to person and can be mild to severe. The pain typically radiates from a person's lower back, through their buttocks and down the back of their leg. Radiating sciatic pain typically only affects one side of the body at a time.

How the Pain Feels

• Some people only experience a mild ache when they have sciatica. Others experience excruciating pain. The excruciating pain is often described as burning and sharp. Some people experience an electric shock feeling that ranges in severity from very uncomfortable to severely painful. Some people also experience a worsening of their pain when they sneeze and cough.

Pins and Needles

• "Pins and needles" is another type of pain and discomfort that can be experienced by those with sciatica. This type of pain can be mild to severe and is described as feeling like ants are crawling on the foot and toes. This type of sciatica pain is most often felt in a person's foot or toes. However, this sensation can also be felt in the buttocks and back of the calf.

Weakness and Numbness

• Many people with sciatica pain will also experience some type of weakness or numbness in the affected area. They can experience pain in the buttocks or the back of their thigh, and also numbness or weakness in their calf or foot. The frequency and intensity of the weakness and numbness varies greatly. The weakness can be severe enough to interfere with walking or it can be just barely noticeable. The numbness can be complete numbness or feel like a person's foot or leg is half asleep.

Other Symptoms

• In rare, but serious cases of sciatica, a condition called cauda equina syndrome sometimes occurs. This causes loss of bowel or bladder control. Cauda equina syndrome is considered a medical emergency.