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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/sciatica.html

Sciatica

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Research

Resources

Summary

Sciatica is a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. It controls muscles in the back of your knee and lower leg and provides feeling to the back of your thigh, part of your lower leg, and the sole of your foot. When you have sciatica, you have pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling. It can start in the lower back and extend down your leg to your calf, foot, or even your toes. It's usually on only one side of your body.

Causes of sciatica include:

In many cases no cause can be found.

Sometimes sciatica goes away on its own. Treatment, if needed, depends on the cause of the problem. It may include exercises, medicines, and surgery.

Start Here

  • Sciatica (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

  • Spine CT (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
  • Spine MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

Related Issues

  • Tarlov Cysts From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Specifics

Clinical Trials

Patient Handouts

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.