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Signs & Symptoms of Sciatic Nerve Impingement

Sciatica results in pain in the area that radiates from the buttock right down to the back side of the lower limb. Sciatica and sciatic nerve impingement, which are closely associated with each other, are often very painful, although the extent, nature and magnitude of pain can vary from one person to another. In some people, the pain can last a lifetime, while in others it can originate at some point of time and then simply disappear. In yet others, pain levels fluctuate. There are several symptoms of a sciatic nerve impingement:

  1. Pain in the Lower Back

    • Pain in the lower back is the most concrete sign of a sciatic nerve impingement. A person with an impinged sciatic nerve will have severe pain from the buttock to the lower limb. When the sciatic nerve, which runs from the hip to the posterior of the leg, is impinged (which means entrapped or compressed), extreme inflammation of the area results. In most people, this pain is aggravated by body motions such as bending forward or backward, sneezing or coughing. Often, the pain is described as a shooting pain, especially when moving.

    Pain in Certain Positions

    • When the sciatic nerve is impinged, you may find it nearly impossible to stand or remain in certain positions. Typically, people with an impinged sciatic nerve cannot kneel down for a long period of time. Standing on your toes or keeping the affected leg bent while standing may also cause high degrees of pain.

    Numbness or Weakness

    • Typically, sciatic nerve impingement occurs at the highest of the spinal nerve roots called Sacral 1 (S1) or Lumbar 5 (L5). As a result, a pinched or impinged sciatic nerve can cause a feeling of numbness in the regions it affects. In other cases, sciatic nerve impingement is also characterized by a feeling of burning in the nerve that runs from the upper hip to the ankle or toe. However, normally, sciatica that affects the muscle causes pain and tenderness, but not numbness, weakness or burning. Thus, the presence or absence of this symptom can help your doctor determine which nerve(s) are impinged.

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