Pinch of the sciatic nerve is also called sciatica. This is a pathological condition that develops when the nerve endings that form the sciatic nerve are compressed or irritated.
The area of damage is the lumbosacral spine. With any degenerative processes in this area, pain occurs in the lower extremities, and a characteristic feature is that the disorders appear only in one leg.
Etiology of disease
Among the main causes that lead to this disease are the following:
• herniated discs in the lumbar region;
• lumbar spinal stenosis;
• osteochondrosis;
• spondylolisthesis - a pathology in which one of the vertebrae of the lower back is displaced and pinches the nerve roots;
• piriformis syndrome - manifested by irritation or stretching of the sciatic nerve;
• disorders in the sacroiliac joint, which provoke irritation of the fifth nerve ending in the lumbar region;
Pinching of the sciatic nerve can also be observed in the presence of tumors, blood clots, abscesses, with an infectious process in the pelvis, fibromyalgia, as well as in Lyme disease and Reiter's syndrome, so the treatment of this pathology can be carried out after a thorough examination of the patient, which allows to identify the true cause of patient complaints.
For this purpose, X-ray examination, radioisotope scanning of the spine is carried out. Be sure to also conduct a neurological examination of patients.
Clinical manifestations
A pinched sciatic nerve is manifested by the following symptoms:
• pain that is localized in the sacrum and goes to the buttocks, thigh and lower leg, and also goes down to the foot. The pain syndrome is quite intense, increases with the slightest movement, in some cases becomes unbearable;
• disturbance of the sensitivity of the skin in the form of tingling, burning or cold sensation, as well as numbness or “goosebumps”;
• muscle weakness of the buttocks, thighs and lower legs;
• violation of the motor function of the lower limb, when the patient cannot move his leg or change the position of the body.
Sciatica treatment
Pinched sciatic nerve is treated with medication. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which can be administered epidurally. Physiotherapy methods give a positive effect. UHF-therapy, electrophoresis, paraffin applications and magnetotherapy are carried out. Massagesciatic nerve helps to reduce muscle spasm, which helps to release pinched nerves.
Traditional medicine can help in the treatment of this pathology. Treatment of the sciatic nerve in this case includes the use of a tincture of red pepper or garlic to rub the affected area, as well as various plants, such as barberry, which are used to prepare oral preparations. It must be remembered that any folk remedy should be used only after consulting a doctor.
