

To better understand the cause of a patient’s back pain, physicians perform a physical examination and offer diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electromyography (EMG). As a result, people with one or more of these conditions experience low-back pain that can travel to the legs. Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the disk space, and disk protrusion (also known as a herniated disk) can cause pinching, irritation, and inflammation of the nerve root(s). In the lumbar and sacrum regions of the spine, a pair of nerve roots exits from the spine at each level. Nerve roots run through the bony spinal canal. The spinal cord is divided into segments-or levels-according to the nerve roots that branch off. Understanding the anatomy of the spine helps us understand the cause of sciatica. Sciatica causes the sensation of pins and needles, a decrease in motor function, or difficulty performing certain movements that reduce one’s activity level and quality of life. Sciatica is most likely to develop around age 40 or 50. This pain is known as lumbosacral radicular pain or sciatica. The most common type of lumbar (low-back) pain originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the leg. Guest Discussants: Neel Mehta, MD, Jennifer Zocca, MD, Naum Shaparin, MD, Max Snyder, MD Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Back & Neck Pain.Lumbar Herniated Disc: What You Should Know.Ask the Experts: Which Tests Are Best for Diagnosing Low Back Pain?.Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections.The Experts Weigh In on Low Back Pain Treatments.

Spinal Cord Stimulation & What Conditions it Can Treat.Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy.Diagnosing & Treating Spinal Cord Injuries.Diagnosing & Treating Spondylolisthesis.A “Walking Time Bomb,” Now Back on Track.A Patient’s Perspective: Stefano Kaslowski.Diagnosing & Treating Spinal Schwannomas.Doctors Who Treat Spinal Compression Fractures.Surgery for Spinal Compression Fractures.Diagnosing & Treating Spinal Compression Fractures.Symptoms of Spinal Compression Fractures.Spinal Compression Fractures show submenu.Minimally Invasive Surgery for a Herniated Disc.Doctors Who Treat Ankylosing Spondylitis.Diagnosing & Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis.
