Sciatica is a common name for a condition associated with irritation, compression, inflammation, or damage to a spinal nerve root. In modern medicine, the term “radiculopathy” is more often used for such a lesion.
Symptoms may include pain that spreads along the affected nerve, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and decreased reflexes. Causes may include an intervertebral hernia, narrowing of the spinal canal, degenerative changes in the spine, injuries, and other diseases. Treatment is determined depending on the cause and severity of symptoms.