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Lumbar Sciatica

Everyday tasks can be a struggle,  but treatment options can help you manage your chronic pain and regain your quality of life.

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Understanding lumbar sciatica

Sciatica is a type of pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back, travels through the hips and buttocks, and runs down the back of each leg, all the way to the feet. When people have sciatica, they feel pain that can follow this path, often starting in the lower back or buttocks and shooting down the leg.

Sciatica typically affects only one side of the body. You might feel pain starting in the lower back or buttocks and running down just one leg.

Symptoms of lumbar sciatica

Intense, sharp pain
Pain that often feels like an electric shock.

Burning pain
Pain that feels like a burning sensation—running down one leg while the other feels numb

Jabbing or shooting pain
Pain that quickly travels downward along one leg. 

Numbness
One leg feels numb or 'on pins or needles' while the other leg feels painful. 

Worsened by coughing or sneezing
Lumbar sciatica pain often gets worse during specific actions like coughing or sneezing.

Worsened by prolonged sitting
Lumbar sciatica gets worse with prolonged sitting, especially when pressure is put on the lower spine. 

Diagnosis of lumbar sciatica and common causes

When a person has back pain related to sciatica, doctors may recommend an MRI scan to understand the underlying cause of sciatica. Since sciatica usually happens because something is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, an MRI can reveal exactly what that 'something' is. Common causes include:

A herniated disc is one of the most common causes of sciatica. The MRI scan can show whether one of the soft, cushion-like discs between the vertebrae in your spine has 'slipped' out of place or become damaged. When this happens, a disc may press against the sciatic nerve, leading to pain down the leg.

These are bony growths that can develop on the vertebrae. On an MRI, these spurs show up clearly, and one can see if they are pressing on the nerve root that contributes to the sciatic nerve.

The space inside your spine, known as the spinal canal, contains the spinal cord and serves as a protective passage for it. Sometimes, this canal can become too narrow—a condition called spinal stenosis. An MRI scan can help determine if this narrowing is putting pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve.

As people age, the discs in the spine can start to break down, losing flexibility and shrinking, which can put pressure on nerves. An MRI scan helps to detect see these changes and understand if they are contributing to sciatica.

Though rare, tumors or infections near the spine can also lead to sciatica symptoms. An MRI scan is particularly good at detecting these kinds of abnormalities that might not be obvious in other imaging tests.

Ageing, obesity, job-related stress, physical inactivity and diabetes can all be potential risk factors for sciatica, though many cases are due to unknown causes.

Treatment options for lumbar sciatica

Exercises and stretches to improve flexibility, strengthen muscles, and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve can help to improve the symptoms.

Heat or ice packs may also provide relief.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce discomfort.

If pain persists, cortisone shots can be used to reduce inflammation around the nerve, offering temporary relief.

In severe cases, surgery like a discectomy may be recommended to remove the part of a herniated disc pressing on the sciatic nerve.

If other treatments don’t work, Spinal Cord Stimulation may be an option. It involves implanting a small device that helps block pain signals before they reach the brain.

Learn more about Spinal Cord Stimulation for the treatment of lumbar sciatica

Hear stories from real life chronic pain sufferers about their daily lives.

The pain is real. Chronic pain can affect your everyday life and can be incapacitating. Spinal Cord Stimulation therapy can give you new reasons to hope.

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This material is for informational purposes only and not meant for medical diagnosis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, and Boston Scientific makes no representation regarding the medical benefits included in this information. Boston Scientific strongly recommends that you consult with your physician on all matters pertaining to your health.

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