Sciatica

[Sarah]

Neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, an affection characterized byparoxysmal attacks of pain in the buttock, back of the thing, or inthe leg or foot, following the course of the branches of the sciaticnerve. The name is also popularly applied to various painfulaffections of the hip and the parts adjoininhg. See Ischiadicpassion, under Ischiadic.

[Tanya Shivari]

Horrible back pain often associated with a pinched sciatic nerve.

[Rihanna]

Pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of an intervertebral disc.

[Greta]

Sciatica is pain along the sciatic nerve. It usually results from compression of lumbar nerve roots in the lower back. Common causes include intervertebral disk herniation, osteophytes, and narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis). Symptoms include pain radiating from the buttocks down the leg. Diagnosis sometimes involves MRI or CT. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies can identify the affected level. Treatment includes symptomatic measures and sometimes surgery, particularly if there is a neurologic deficit.
(See also Evaluation of Neck and Back Pain.)