Sciatica (technically known as lumbar radiculopathy) refers to pain in the area of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body,. It is about the width of a finger. If you have sciatica, you probably experience pain beginning in your lower back and running down your buttocks and legs. Sciatica is usually caused by a protruding disc that presses on the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica Symptoms

Sciatic pain can be dull, sharp, or burning. You might also experience off-and-on shocks of shooting pain in the low back, thighs, and calves. Your pain might extend below the knee, sometimes all the way to your feet. You might feel weak, numb, or have a pins and needles sensation. Sneezing or coughing may intensify the pain. Typically, sciatica affects just one side of the body.

Consulting a Sciatica Specialist

Our team at the Spine Hospital includes spine surgeons and physiatrists who specialize in diagnosing and treating sciatica. Many are recognized as Castle Connolly Top Doctors and recipients of Super Doctors awards. They evaluate symptoms and recommend a care plan tailored to your needs.

Spine Surgeons

Spine surgeons evaluate sciatica when symptoms are persistent or severe, or when there are signs of nerve compression. They review your history and imaging, confirm whether symptoms match the findings, and discuss surgical options when appropriate, including what to expect before and after treatment.

• Andrew C. Hecht, MD – System Chief of Spine Surgery and Director of the Spine Center
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• Wesley H. Bronson, MD
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• Saad B. Chaudhary, MD
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• Samuel K. Cho, MD
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• Tanvir Choudhri, MD
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• Alexander Crawford, MD, MPH
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• Jun S. Kim, MD
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• Yunsoo Lee, MD
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• James D. Lin, MD
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• Konstantinos Margetis, MD, PhD
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• Jeremy M. Steinberger, MD
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• Chan Roonprapunt, MD
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Physiatrists

Physiatrists are doctors who focus on non-surgical evaluation and treatment for sciatica. They help identify the source of nerve-related pain and create a personalized plan to relieve symptoms and improve function, often coordinating rehabilitation and other non-surgical therapies.

• Joseph Bax, DO
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• Eugene Bulkin, MD
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• Alexander Lee, MD
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• Joseph Lee, MD
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• Martin Pico, MD
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• Chirag Shah, MD
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Potential Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica most often results from general wear and tear or sudden pressure on the discs that cushion the vertebrae of the lower spine. A herniated disc may press directly on the nerve roots that lead into the sciatic nerve. The damaged disc can also leak fluid, which may inflame and irritate the nerve. Other less common causes of sciatica include degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal stenosis, isthmic spondylolisthesis, sacroiliitis, lumbar facet joint syndrome, piriformis syndrome, and iliolumbar syndrome. In rare cases, it can also be caused by an infection or tumor.

Diagnosing Sciatica

To diagnose your condition, we begin by taking your medical history, reviewing your current medications, conducting a physical and neurologic examination, and if needed, by ordering X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and a computerized tomography scan.