How Can Sciatica Affect Your Ability to Walk?
Sciatica is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the lower back, buttock, and leg. It occurs when the sciatic nerve, which is the longest and thickest nerve in the body, is compressed or irritated by a herniated disc, bone spur, tumor, or other condition. Sciatica can affect your ability to walk in different ways, depending on the severity and location of the nerve compression. This article will explore some of the possible effects of sciatica on walking and how to manage them.
How Does Sciatica Affect Walking?
The severity of sciatica varies from person to person. While some individuals can walk with little to no difficulty, others may find it nearly impossible. Several factors contribute to the impact of sciatica on your ability to walk:
- Underlying cause – The cause of your sciatica plays a significant role. If it results from a minor issue that does not put much pressure on the sciatic nerve, you may experience milder symptoms. However, if a herniated disc or severe spinal stenosis is the culprit, the symptoms may be more severe and debilitating.
- Pain level – The intensity of the pain is a crucial factor. Severe pain can make it excruciating to take even a single step. Individuals with sciatica often find relief when resting or sitting, as walking exacerbates the pain due to the nerve compression or irritation.
- Nerve involvement – The extent to which the sciatic nerve is affected also matters. If the irritation or compression is more extensive, it can lead to more pronounced symptoms and difficulty walking.
- Muscle weakness – Muscle weakness, especially in the leg, can significantly impact your walking ability. Weak muscles may not support your weight properly, leading to instability and a potential risk of falling.
- Numbness and tingling – Numbness and tingling can impair your balance and coordination, making walking a challenging task. It is difficult to maintain a steady gait when you cannot feel your leg properly.
These symptoms can make it hard to walk normally, particularly in the last stages of sciatica. You may also have difficulty maintaining your posture, speed, or stride. In some cases, you may even lose the ability to walk altogether.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve or its branches. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lower spine, which can bulge out and press on the nerve roots. Other possible causes of sciatica include:
- Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can squeeze the nerve roots
- Spondylolisthesis, which is a slippage of one vertebra over another that can pinch the nerve roots
- Piriformis syndrome, which is a spasm of a muscle in the buttocks that can compress the nerve
- Spinal tumors, infections, injuries, or fractures that can damage the nerve or its roots
- Pregnancy, which can put pressure on the nerve due to weight gain, hormonal changes, or pelvic shifts
What Are the Risk Factors for Sciatica?
Some factors that can increase the risk of developing sciatica are:
- Age – Sciatica is more common in older adults, as they are more likely to have degenerative changes in the spine that can cause nerve compression
- Occupation – Sciatica is more common in people who have jobs that involve heavy lifting, bending, twisting, or driving for long periods of time
- Lifestyle – Sciatica is more common in people who are sedentary or overweight, smoke, or have poor posture
- Genetics – Sciatica may run in families, as some people may have inherited traits that make them more prone to spinal problems
How Can I Prevent and Treat Sciatica?
The best way to prevent sciatica is to keep your spine healthy and avoid activities that can cause nerve compression. Some of the preventive measures you can take are:
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your core and back muscles and improve your flexibility and posture
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce the stress on your spine and nerves
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake to prevent inflammation and degeneration of your discs and nerves
- Use proper ergonomics when you work, sit, stand, or sleep to avoid putting strain on your spine and nerves
- Warm up before you exercise and stretch after you exercise to prevent muscle tightness and spasms
If you already have sciatica, there are several treatment options available to help you relieve your symptoms and improve your walking. Some of the treatment options are:
- Medications – Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, or steroids can reduce pain and inflammation
- Physical therapy – A physical therapist can teach you exercises and stretches to improve your strength, mobility, and posture
- Massage therapy – A licensed massage therapist can apply pressure and knead your muscles to relieve tension and spasms
- Acupuncture – You may try acupuncture with a certified practitioner who can insert thin needles into specific points on your body to stimulate blood flow and nerve function
- Chiropractic care – A chiropractor can perform spinal adjustments or manipulations to realign your vertebrae and relieve nerve pressure
- Surgery – Surgery may be recommended if your sciatica is caused by a serious spinal condition that does not respond to conservative treatments
Sciatica can make you unable to walk normally or at all if it is severe enough. However, most people with sciatica can find relief and regain their mobility with the right treatment and lifestyle adjustments. If you are experiencing symptoms of sciatica, consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Patients who have had discectomies or less invasive microdiscectomies for herniated discs may experience sciatica if their discs reherniate, which often occurs if there is a large hole in the outer ring of the disc after surgery. Fortunately, there is a new treatment shown to reduce the risk of reherniation by closing the hole in the disc after a discectomy.This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and does not require any additional incisions or time in the hospital.Barricaid was proven 95 percent effective in a study of over 500 patients, meaning 95 percent of patients did not experience a reoperation due to reherniation in the two-year study time frame.
To learn more about the Barricaid treatment, ask your doctor or contact us at 844-705-1081.
For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.