I always have lower back pain and am afraid I might have sciatica.
Disease description:
I've been having severe lower back pain recently. The pain worsens if I sit or stand for even a slightly prolonged period. Sometimes, I also experience a dull pain in my legs. Could this be sciatica? Can persistent lower back pain lead to sciatica?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Low back pain is a common symptom that can be caused by various factors such as prolonged poor sitting posture, muscle strain, etc.
Sciatica is a common type of low back and leg pain, mainly characterized by radiating pain in the lower back, buttocks, back of the thigh, outer side of the calf, and foot. This pain is usually caused by compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve, with common causes including lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, scoliosis, etc.
When there is persistent low back pain accompanied by sciatic nerve pain, symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness may occur, indicating a possible risk of lumbar disc herniation. This condition primarily results from degeneration or protrusion of the lumbar intervertebral discs, which compresses the nerve roots or cauda equina, leading to low back and sciatic nerve pain.
In addition to lumbar disc herniation, other lumbar spine conditions such as lumbar spondylolisthesis may also cause similar symptoms.
If you frequently experience low back pain that radiates down to the legs and suspect you may have sciatica, it is advisable to visit a reputable hospital for examination and treatment.
