It is common to experience neurological pain due to irritation or pressure on your sciatic nerve. Being the longest nerve in your body, the sciatic nerve can make the pain radiate from your back to your legs, disrupting your daily life. Fortunately, Roswell sciatica specialists have your cure. But to understand the best treatment option for you, you have to diagnose sciatica first and understand the underlying cause. Here are helpful tips for recognizing the condition.
Recognize Possible Causes
Some complications are directly related to sciatica. Herniated or slipped spinal disc is one of the leading causes of sciatica, and recognizing it can help you diagnose the condition. The outer part of the fibrous jelly material that makes the disks in your spine can rupture, causing a special leak to the lower and upper vertebrae causing the discs to slip. A slipped disc is mainly caused by trauma, heavy lifting, wrong movement, or aging and puts pressure on your nerves, including the sciatica nerve. Other issues that increase your chances of experiencing sciatica include spinal stenosis and pregnancy.
Pay Attention to Low Back Pain
You can experience low back pain for various reasons, but it could also be a sign of sciatica. If your pain feels like burning, tingling, sharp, and needlelike, and radiates through your sciatic nerve path, you probably have sciatica. However, understanding pain patterns may differ from one person to another depending on the specific cause of the condition. Also, pain is mainly experienced on one leg but can affect both legs.
Keep an Eye on Muscle Weakness
The irritation and inflammation of the sciatic nerve can cause muscle weakness. Therefore, if your pain is associated with muscle weakness, you could be suffering sciatica. You will notice your pain is triggered by walking, prolonged standing or sitting, or bending either forward or backward. The pain and weakness can severely affect your daily activities and worsen with sneezing, laughing, or coughing.
Visit Your Doctor
If you suspect you are experiencing sciatica-related symptoms, the best action is to talk to your doctor about the symptoms. Your doctor has expert knowledge and will evaluate your symptoms to understand if they are associated with sciatica. Also, your doctor will evaluate your medical history, health risks, and other factors to associate or dissociate your symptoms from sciatica.
Consider a Physical Exam
A physical exam is crucial to add more information on the background diagnostic. Talk to your doctor about a physical exam and the expectations. Your doctor will identify the location of the pain and the possible cause of the condition. A physical exam mainly focuses on determining if your condition is from the spine. Additionally, your provider might recommend additional diagnostic tastings like blood tests, x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to get more details about your symptoms.
Perform a Leg Raise Test
You can do a straight leg raise test to determine if you are enduring any case of sciatica. You lay down straight on a bed and lift the affected leg at a 45-degree angle but maintain it straight. Your provider will then examine the reflexes on your foot, and if you experience pain in your thigh or lower back, you might be suffering from sciatica.
If you are experiencing symptoms you suspect are due to sciatic, contact Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center for an expert diagnosis. Understanding your symptoms and the cause of your condition will help your provider recommend the most suitable treatment for you.
