Can Sciatica Be Caused by Arthritis?

Whether there is a connection between arthritis and sciatica is a question frequently posed by patients with both conditions. Although both conditions can cause pain and discomfort, the answer to this question is not so straightforward.

Let's take a closer look at the connection between arthritis and sciatica to see if we can gain a better understanding of how these conditions may be related.

Which Form Of Arthritis Causes Nerve Discomfort?

If you experience joint pain, you may have arthritis. Arthritis is a prevalent disease. Inflammation, stiffness, and pain are typical arthritis symptoms. It can also alter your gait, increasing the pressure on your other limbs. Moreover, arthritis can result in nerve damage and numbness. If you experience severe pain, you should seek medical attention. The pain specialist will be able to recommend the most suitable treatment.

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of the disease. This condition is caused by the degeneration of cartilage in the joints. It can affect any joint, but the hips, knees, hands, and lower back are most commonly affected. Additionally, osteoarthritis causes bone spurs, which compress nerves.

What Is The Most Excruciating Form Of Arthritis?

There are numerous forms of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form and typically affects weight-bearing joints. The condition typically develops gradually and over time without obvious signs of fatigue. It is the result of wear and tear on the shock absorber cartilage of the body. Over time, the cartilage on the bone ends degrades, resulting in a less cushioned joint.

Pain associated with arthritis varies from individual to individual. It can be mild or moderate in severity and can be treated with medication or regular exercise. The pain can sometimes become so severe that it becomes difficult to move the affected joint.

How Do You Treat Sciatica?

The treatment for sciatica varies greatly depending on the severity and cause of the condition. Some patients respond to self-care treatments that are conservative, while others require aggressive medical care. In both cases, the objective is to reduce pain and increase mobility. Among the self-care techniques is the application of ice packs to the affected area multiple times per day to alleviate pain and swelling. Hot packs can be applied to the affected area for up to 20 minutes for sciatica pain relief.

Sciatica is a painful condition resulting from inflammation of the sciatic nerve roots at their exit from the spinal cord. This inflammation may result in pain radiating to the foot. Symptoms may worsen if this condition is not treated. Additionally, prolonged sitting can exacerbate the condition.

What Constitutes The Sciatic Nerve?

The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest (nearly a finger's width) nerve in the body. It is composed of five nerve roots: two from the region of the lower back, known as the lumbar spine, and three from the final segment of the spine, known as the sacrum. Joint pain is the most prevalent symptom of arthritis.

80% of individuals with sciatica will recover within three months. If conservative treatments do not result in recovery within three months, surgical intervention may be necessary, and nerves can take up to one year to recover.

Sciatic pain is typically not an indication of a much more serious condition. When a portion of the sciatic nerve near the piriformis is compressed, the piriformis muscle experiences piriformis syndrome pain.

Patients who do not respond to physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications may benefit from an epidural cortisone injection. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or muscle relaxants, as well as the application of gentle heat or cold to painful muscles, may be recommended.

All in All

It is evident that debilitating inflammatory diseases such as arthritis may contribute to the development of sciatica. In order to establish an effective treatment plan, it is essential to identify the underlying cause of your pain.

Adding therapies such as chiropractic care, physical therapy, exercise, and stretching to your daily routine can help reduce arthritis and sciatica symptoms.