Question 1

can spinal stenosis go to your neck and cause sciatica in both legs?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: A true "sciatica" is the compression of a nerve or nerves that make up the sciatic nerve, associated with leg symptoms.  Because the sciatic nerve is in the low back and leg, a true sciatica can only be from there.  That being said, patients with cord compression in their neck can definitely have symptoms in their legs similar to a sciatica.  Consider being checked.

Question 2

spinal canal narrowing no cord compression seen on mri but could this cause my sciatica pain to go all way down to near outside ankle of right foot?

Accepted Answer

Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis is usually associated with some pressure on the spinal cord causing pain in back radiating down the spine to the lower extremity all the way down to your foot and ankle.The answer is you can get sciatica pain due to spinal stenosis even if the absence of cord compression and it depends on the degree of narrowing or spinal stenosis.

Question 3

why should i experience sciatica following a spinal fusion, if i never had it before?

Accepted Answer

Sciatica: Depends on how long since your fusion. If within 6 months it may just be some neuritis due to surgical irritation of the nerve roots in the area. If it is more than 6 months it may either be an actual injury one or more nerve roots. If is is several years is is due to epidural fibrosis, often called "failed back surgery syndrome" or "post-laminectomy syndrome". These can all be effectively treated

Question 4

is sciatica a form spinal cord injury?

Accepted Answer

No: It is not an injury to the spinal cord
it is injury to a nerve root usually from a disc herniation. Very different from spinal cord injury.

Question 5

is spinal pain a symptom of sciatica? upper and lower spine?

Accepted Answer

Leg cramps
: Sciatica is a term for pain as a result of dysfunction to the sciatic nerve. The pain can originate from the spine, a general health problem affecting the nerves  (Lyme disease, alcohol, b12 deficiency, diabetes)  muscle impingement int he buttock, or behind the knee. Often the pain reported as "sciatica "is really referred pain from the hip, sacroiliac joint , or problems with circulation

Question 6

why should i have sciatica pain after spinal fusion surgery.

Accepted Answer

Pain: Sometimes people continue to have sciatica pain because the screws have loosened or an infection has developed.  Sometimes it just takes a long time for the nerve pain to diminish (particularly if the pain was present long before surgery.  Either way be sure to follow up with your surgeon to evaluate your back to ensure everything is healing appropriately.

Question 7

i have sciatica and today i experienced great pain when leaned forward and twisted, dr said:a vertebrae sits beside spinal and doesn't "move, what to do?

Accepted Answer

See a DC or DO: See an osteopathic physician who specializes in osteopathic manipulation, or a good chiropractor. Manipulation can really help relieve the pain and can help keep you from having more episodes. Appropriate stretches and yoga can also be of benefit, as well as icing the area. Massage/acupressure could be of benefit  but would be best in conjunction with manipulation. Mri may be advisable.

Question 8

doc wants me to have spinal injection for sciatica/herniated disc.is this just about $, why won't he try other options? i don't want injection.

Accepted Answer

What other options?: What other options are those? Injection is probably the most likely to be beneficial and is infinitely less expensive than surgery.

Question 9

after spinal fusion surgery pain from the right side was gone. but now i have pain similar to sciatica on the left side from my spine to my feet.

Accepted Answer

Contact your surgeon: Do not delay, contact your surgeon, may be you need revision or steroid injection or physical therapy or just reassurance.

Question 10

my dad lives in chronic pain from spinal stenosis/sciatica. is it possible to have an elective surgery to sever damaged spine so he won't live in pain?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely: Spinal stenosis is one of the most common and most successfully treated conditions that we see.  He should definitely be seen to discuss treatment options.

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Doctor answers about:

What causes sciatica beside spinal issues

A member asked:

Can spinal stenosis go to your neck and cause sciatica in both legs?

A member asked:

Spinal canal narrowing no cord compression seen on mri but could this cause my sciatica pain to go all way down to near outside ankle of right foot?

A member asked:

Why should i experience sciatica following a spinal fusion, if i never had it before?

A member asked:

Is sciatica a form spinal cord injury?

A member asked:

Is spinal pain a symptom of sciatica? upper and lower spine?

A member asked:

Why should i have sciatica pain after spinal fusion surgery.

A member asked:

I have sciatica and today i experienced great pain when leaned forward and twisted, dr said:a vertebrae sits beside spinal and doesn't "move, what to do?

A member asked:

Doc wants me to have spinal injection for sciatica/herniated disc.is this just about $, why won't he try other options? i don't want injection.

A member asked:

After spinal fusion surgery pain from the right side was gone. but now i have pain similar to sciatica on the left side from my spine to my feet.

A member asked:

My dad lives in chronic pain from spinal stenosis/sciatica. is it possible to have an elective surgery to sever damaged spine so he won't live in pain?

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