Can a herniated disk without nerve compression cause sciatica pain?

Yes: Sciatic pain can be due to an inflamatory reaction as well as direct nerve root compression or both. When a disc herniates, there is an inflammatory component that can lead to pain without any nerve root compression still causing pain over the distribution or route of that nerve

Yes: Herniated disc without nerve compression may cause sciatica by the nerve irritation and inflammation. As a matter of fact, true nerve compression is rarely painful. It rather leads to numbness and weakness.

Yes: Nerve compression is just one way sciatica can happen. Often when looking at MRI, doctors don't take into consideration that this is a still image and doesn't show what your spine will do when you move, bend over or even stand up. That is why you need to see a spine specialist that can discuss this with you and your options for treatment.