Sciatica

Sciatica

A skeleton showing the location of the sciatic nerve and close-up of the sciatic nerve in the hip area

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It is formed by nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord in the lower back. The nerve goes down through the buttock, and then its branches extend down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot.

A herniated disc may irritate or press on one or more of the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. This can cause symptoms of sciatica, such as pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the affected leg.

A herniated disc is the most common cause of sciatica. But sciatica can also be a symptom of other problems. These include a narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), pressure on a nerve root from an injury, and certain rare tumours.

Current as of: August 25, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Kenneth J. Koval MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma
Robert B. Keller MD - Orthopedics
Steven J. Atlas MD, MPH - Internal Medicine