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Our Sciatica Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Sciatica

Definition of Sciatica

Sciatica: Pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically felt from the low back to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. While sciatica can result from a herniated disc directly pressing on the nerve, any cause of irritation or inflammation of this nerve can reproduce the painful symptoms of sciatica. Diagnosis is by observation of symptoms, physical and nerve testing, and sometimes by X-ray or MRI if a herniated disk is suspected.

Treatment options include avoiding movements that further irritate the condition, medication, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.


Last Editorial Review: 6/4/2001

Common Misspellings: siatica

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