Overview

Lumbar radiculopathy, or sciatica, is a kind of radiculopathy that causes severe pain in the back, hip, and outer side of the leg. It’s typically caused by the compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back which causes acute or chronic pain. 

Most cases of sciatica can be resolved with nonsurgical treatments and may resolve themselves by changing your lifestyle habits. 

Treatment options 

• Spinal adjustments from a chiropractor 
• Physical therapy
• Medications to reduce swelling and pain
• Heat or cold therapy
• Spinal injections or nerve blocks
• Surgery

Preventative measures 

Some forms of radiculopathy can be prevented by living an active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight, and maintaining correct posture and form in your daily activities and workouts. 

Symptoms

Typical symptoms include:

• Lower back pain that travels to the buttocks and down the back of your thigh to your calf
• Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg
• Worsening pain upon standing or sitting
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving your leg, foot, and toes

Diagnostic tests

Before your appointment, you should document when and where you have pain, its severity and duration, and any recent trauma to your lower back. Your doctor will ask about these as well as what medication, vitamins, or supplements you take, your medical history, and your lifestyle habits. These can help them rule out other medical conditions and injuries. Your doctor will also perform a physical examination to investigate any mobility limitations of the spine, balance problems, loss of reflexes, muscle weakness, or sensory loss. 

Your doctor may order imaging tests such as:

• X-ray
• MRI
• CT myelogram 
• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study 

Causes

• Age 
• Bone spurs
• Bulging or herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Diabetes 
• Nerve root injuries
• Pinched nerve
• Scar tissue from previous spinal injuries
• Sedentary lifestyle 
• Spondylolisthesis 
• Obesity