Most people think of sciatica as a disease or condition but the truth is that it’s a symptom caused by pinching or discomfort around the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve problems occur when the nerve roots in the sciatic nerve, which runs throughout the lower back and spinal cord, are irritated in some way. The sciatic nerve is very long and branches out through the buttock, into the back of the leg, the foot, and the ankle.
When it comes to identifying the top 3 sciatic nerve pain symptoms, it’s worth noting that the main sign of sciatica is pain, but where that pain is located can determine what kind of sciatica problems you have. Keep in mind that movement that extends to your back or legs could make sciatica pain worse.
The Top 3 Sciatic Nerve Pain Symptoms: The L4 Nerve Root
As mentioned above, the kind of pain you experience with sciatica will depend on which part of your sciatic nerve root has been affected. If you’re experiencing discomfort from the L4 nerve root, then you should feel numbness and pain around the lower part of your leg, and your foot. You might struggle to walk normally, or lift your foot upwards, and most patients with this condition also have limited knee reflexes.
The Top 3 Sciatic Nerve Pain Symptoms: The L5 Nerve Root
If the space between the L4 and the L5 root nerve is damaged, then you might suffer from ongoing feelings of weakness around the toes and the ankle. Usually, the symptoms of sciatica that originate from this space within the nerve will include numbness and pain at the top side of the foot, particularly in the space between the second toe and the big toe.
The Top 3 Sciatic Nerve Pain Symptoms: The S1 Nerve Root
Finally, if you’re experiencing symptoms of sciatica that are connected to the L5-S1 level of the nerve root at the very bottom segment of the spine, then you’re likely to feel numbness and pain throughout the outside portion of the foot. Some people with this kind of sciatica also notice weakness that makes it difficult for them to raise their heel away from the ground or walk on their tiptoes. You might also notice a reduction in the reflexes around your ankle too.
Understanding the Symptoms of Sciatica:
Coming to terms with the 3 sciatic nerve pain symptoms can be complicated. This is because, although the circumstances outlined above are common, the experience that you have with sciatica can vary according to a range of factors, including anatomical differences, the specific pathology of the condition and more.
Ultimately, if you want to overcome the problem as quickly and effectively as possible, then you’ll need to speak to your doctor about the causes of your sciatica. The most common reason for sciatica is a ruptured or bulging disc in the spine that’s beginning to push against the nerve roots in the spine. In some circumstances, sciatica can also be caused by situations that aren’t related to a spinal condition at all, such as pregnancy.
