Sciatica is an indication of a more serious medical problem. Understanding the causes of sciatica might help you concentrate your treatment on solving the problem rather than concealing the symptoms.

Direct nerve pressure, inflammation, an aberrant immune system response, or a combination of these factors cause sciatic nerve damage.

Sciatica's Most Common Causes

Lumbar Disc Herniation A herniated disc in the lower back is pinching the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica can be caused by a herniated disc inside the lumbar spine producing direct compression or chemical irritation of a sciatic nerve root.

Sciatica is commonly caused by:

Herniated lumbar disc According to studies, a lumbar herniated disc is responsible for up to 90% of sciatica. The sciatic nerve is formed by one or even more spinal nerve roots (L4-S3) that are compressed by a herniated disc. Sciatica can be caused by a herniated lumbar disc in two ways:

Compression is done directly. When a lumbar disc protrusions (contained-disc-disorder) or if the soft inner material of a disc leaks out or herniates it through fibrous outer core (non-contained disc disease), direct compression of the sciatic nerve occurs.

Chemical inflammatory response. The disc material's acidic chemical irritant (hyaluronan) may seep out, causing inflammation and irritation surrounding the sciatic nerve. 3-5

A herniated disc can compress the sciatic nerve on one side, resulting in symptoms in one leg, or it can bulge or herniate on both sides, inflammatory processes in both legs (bilateral sciatica). Bilateral sciatica can also be caused by two contiguous segment discs on either side herniating, albeit this is an uncommon occurrence.

Degeneration. The sciatic nerve can be compressed or irritated by the degeneration of tissues in the lumbar spine. The synovial tissue in the joint's capsule can also become inflamed and bulky when the facet joints degenerate. Vertebral bone degeneration can result in aberrant bone development (bone spurs or osteophytes). Any or even more nerve roots of the peripheral nerves may be compressed by these unusually thick tissues in the lumbar spine. Intervertebral disc degeneration

Stenosis of the lumbar spine. The narrowing of the spinal canal, known as spinal stenosis, is rather frequent in persons over the age of 60. 8 According to research, lateral recess stenosis is a prevalent cause of sciatica in the elderly. 9

Spondylolisthesis. A minor stress fracture causes one vertebral body to move forward on another, resulting in spondylolisthesis. The L5 vertebra, for example, may move forward over the S1 vertebra. Nerve compression can occur as a result of disc space collapse, fracture, or forward slippage of the vertebral body. Spondylolisthesis is more frequent in younger persons and can induce bilateral sciatica.

These problems can emerge gradually or suddenly as a result of trauma or physical stress. Direct injury can result from car accidents, sports injuries, or falls.

Sciatica Causes That Aren't So Common

Sciatica can be caused by tumors, infection, scar tissue development, fluid accumulation, Pott's disease (spinal tuberculosis), or a lumbar spine fracture. Sciatica can also occur as a result of improper muscle injection procedures in the buttocks or after hip joint replacement surgery, albeit this is uncommon. 12 Sciatica affects about 1% of pregnant women at some time throughout their pregnancy.

Sciatica: Risk Factors

Certain lifestyle factors may raise your chances of getting sciatica. Here are a few examples:

• Smoking
• Depression and other mental health concerns
• Tall people in their later years (50 to 60 years)
• Obesity and weight gain
• Susceptibility is inherited.
• Deficiency in vitamin B 12
• A sedentary, inactive lifestyle causes physical deconditioning.
• Various occupations are available (such as truck drivers, carpenters, or machine operators)
• Poor ergonomics at work

The presence of certain risk factors does not prove that sciatica is the result of them. However, these factors, in combination with an individual's age and overall health, may have a role in the development of sciatica.

If you have sciatica symptoms, you should consult a doctor. Sciatica usually improves significantly when treated early, but if left untreated for a long time, it can become chronic or worsen.