Herniated Disc, Sciatica & Neuropathy
What are intervertebral discs?
Discs are gel-like soft tissues located between the individual vertebrae that make up the spine. Their purpose is to provide cushioning, shock absorbing, and flexibility along the entire length of the spine.
Sciatica
Pain, Numbness, Tingling?
Lumbar radiculopathy (Sciatica) is a condition that generally ensues as a result of irritation of a spinal nerve, most commonly the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or adjacent anatomical structures. Often described as shooting pain that travels down the back and in to the legs. When at its most severe, or left untreated sciatica can cause a number of alarming issues like loss of motor function, numbness, tingling, and burning.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers exclusively to the symptoms of pain that a patient experiences, and not their cause; so it is not a diagnosis as much as an observable phenomena. Lumbar radiculopathy is usually an effect of spinal trauma or dysfunction, predominantly due to disc herniation or spinal stenosis, which are typically the result of injury to the spine and can be caused by accidents, poor posture, repetative stress, deficient health, advanced age, and more.
The effects of compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve can fluctuate in intensity from mild discomfort to immobilizing pain, depending on the extent of trauma to the spine and nerve as well as the length of time the condition has been present.
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