What makes your sciatic nerve hurt

Giuffre BA, Jeanmonod R. Anatomy, Sciatic Nerve. Entrapment of the fifth lumbar spinal nerve by advanced osteophytic changes of the lumbosacral zygapophyseal joint: a case report. Asian Spine J. Sciatica: a review of history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the role of epidural steroid injection in management. British Journal of Anaesthesia. Surgery or physical activity in the management of sciatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

European Spine Journal. Next Page: Sciatica Symptoms. Editor's Top Picks. Health Information Sponsored. Call Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland at to find out what can be done to relieve your pain and get you back to leading an active and rewarding life. Our orthopedic surgeons , podiatrist , physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor , and physical therapists specialize in arthroscopic surgery , minimally invasive procedures, joint replacement , sports medicine , and onsite diagnostic imagery, outpatient surgery, and physical therapy rehabilitation providing pain relief from sciatica , carpal tunnel syndrome , foot pain , knee pain , hip replacement , shoulder impingement , cubital tunnel syndrome and more.

Request an Appointment. MENU Close. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if the pain:. Find a physiotherapist. Do stay active — take regular exercise use a safe technique when lifting heavy objects make sure you have a good posture when sitting and standing sit correctly when using a computer lose weight if you're overweight. Video: What is sciatica?

This animation explains what sciatica is and what causes it. You can experience symptoms anywhere along the nerve pathway, but pain is usually more severe in the leg and foot than in the low back.

Symptoms include:. Sciatic pain can be constant or come and go. Movements that aggravate or worsen sciatic pain include coughing, sneezing, standing up, and sitting or standing for long periods of time. A lumbar bulging or herniated disc is the most common cause of sciatic nerve pain. Intervertebral discs sit between vertebrae in the spine, providing support, cushioning and shock absorption. Each disc contains a soft, jelly-like nucleus surrounded by a tough outer shell.

Age and natural wear and tear over time cause spinal discs to dry out, weaken and develop tiny tears. The supporting ligaments start to weaken as well, causing the disc to slip and bulge out of place. Eventually, pressure and degenerative changes can lead to the jelly-like nucleus leaking out of a tear in the outer shell — a condition called a herniated disc. A herniated disc can also occur suddenly from a traumatic accident like a fall, car crash or sports accident.

Similarly, pieces of a herniated disc can press against or compress the sciatic nerve root. And the jelly-like disc nucleus contains a chemical irritant that causes nerve inflammation when released into the spinal space. Bone spur formation is a common side effect of arthritis in the spine. Spinal osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of cartilage in the facet joints that connect vertebrae.