Conditions That Look Similar

"Sciatica" Is Not a Diagnosis

A Common Misunderstanding

Many people are told they have "sciatica" and assume it is a specific disease.

However, sciatica is the name of a symptom, not a disease. It is similar to how a "headache" is a symptom -- and the underlying condition causing it could be anything from a brain hemorrhage to a tension headache.

[!note] The sciatic nerve pathway The sciatic nerve is typically formed from nerve roots L4 through S3.

Lumbar spine → Nerve roots → Sciatic nerve → Buttock → Back of thigh

When the nerve roots are compressed, pain travels along the sciatic nerve = sciatica

Sciatica pain area: red glow from buttock to posterior thigh on one side

Conditions That Cause Sciatica

Sciatica can be caused by a number of different conditions:

  • Lumbar spinal stenosis -- the most common cause in older adults
  • Herniated disc -- the most common cause in younger people
  • Degenerative spondylolisthesis
  • Piriformis syndrome (the sciatic nerve is compressed by a muscle deep in the buttock)
  • Other conditions

In other words:

"Sciatica" describes the symptom -- identifying the underlying cause (the actual diagnosis) is what matters.