Deccan Chronicle, Thursday 10 June 2010

TAKE NOTE OF SCIATIC PAIN

SCIATIC NERVE COMPRESSION

In the previous column, sciatic nerve compression was explored. Going further, here are
some other causes for sciatic nerve compression.

CAUSE 3
Spondylolisthesis is a disorder that most often affects the lumbar spine. It is characterized
by a vertebra slipping forward over an adjacent vertebra. When a vertebra slips and is
displaced, spinal nerve root compression occurs, often causing sciatic leg pain.
Spondylolisthesis is categorized as developmental (found at birth and developing during
childhood) or acquired from spinal degeneration, trauma or physical stress (ie.
Weightlifting)

CAUSE 4: TRAUMA
Sciatica can also result from direct nerve compression caused by external forces to the
lumbar or sacral spinal nerve roots. Examples include motor vehicle accidents, falling
down, football and other sports. The impact can injure the nerves or fragments of broken
bone can also compress the nerves.

CAUSE 6: PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME

Piriformis syndrome is named for the piriformis muscle and the pain caused when the
muscle irritates the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower part of the
spine, connected to the thighbone, it assists hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs beneath
the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome develops when muscle spasms develop in the
piriformis muscle thereby compressing the sciatic nerve. It may be difficult to diagnose
and treat this condition due to the lack of x-ray of MRI findings.

CAUSE 7: SPINAL TUMORS

Spinal tumors are abnormal growths that are either benign or cancerous (malignant).
Fortunately, spinal tumor develops in the lumbar region, there is a risk of sciatica
developing as a result of nerve compression. If you think you may be suffering from
sciatica, contact a spine specialist in your community. The first step toward relieving pain
is a proper diagnosis!

(The writer is a spine care specialist at Dr Vijay’s Spine Care, Ulsoor)