Sciatica manifests itself as severe pain in the back and one of the legs. Pain occurs in the lumbosacral spine and buttock, or it can radiate through the back of the thigh and calf to the foot.

One of the most common causes of sciatica is the prolapse of the nucleus pulposus outside the area of ​​the intervertebral disc (disc). The prolapse of the pulmonary nucleus occurs most often when lifting heavy objects or other activities that overload the lumbar spine. Sciatica is usually the result of many years of progression of degenerative changes in the spine.

The diagnosis of sciatica includes: an interview, neurological examination, examination of the range of spine mobility, functional examination, examination of the variability of pain symptoms depending on the body position and analysis of imaging tests (MRI, X-ray or computed tomography).

In the first place, rehabilitation and pharmacological treatment are used as an auxiliary. If conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgical treatment is undertaken, e.g. microdiscectomy, i.e. excision of the nucleus pulposus that compresses the nerve root.