Can sciatica patients run?

Written by Lv Yao

Orthopedics

Updated on December 05, 2024

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The pain of the sciatic nerve is generally caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc. The nucleus pulposus protrudes through the rupture of the fibrous ring of the degenerated disc, compressing the nerve root, which leads to symptoms such as sciatic nerve pain, numbness, and even restricted movement when walking. The intervertebral disc serves to absorb shocks and cushion the pressure on the lower back. During running, the load on the lower back increases, which could potentially exacerbate the symptoms of sciatic nerve pain. Therefore, it is best to avoid running exercises when sciatic nerve pain is caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

55sec

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How to treat sciatica?

For sciatica, conservative treatment methods should first be adopted, which include the following five points: The first is general treatment; as soon as sciatica appears, immediately rest in bed, and the bed should be relatively hard. Second, you can apply heat to the lumbar area, use physical therapy, or acupuncture. Third, lumbar traction can be performed, which has a very clear effect in alleviating sciatica. Fourth, consider performing an intradiscal injection or sacral injection therapy, and chemical nucleolysis can also be performed. After the above treatments, if the symptoms and pain are reduced, you can start functional exercises for the lower back muscles. Functional exercises of the lower back muscles play a significant role in enhancing the stability of the lumbar spine. If the effect of the aforementioned treatments is not significant, or if the symptoms worsen, then surgical treatment may be necessary at this time.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 16sec

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Sciatica obvious symptoms

Sciatica is divided into primary sciatica, which is sciatic neuritis, and secondary sciatica. This is due to other causes leading to swelling and pain. Clinically, it generally manifests in the following six aspects: First, pain that is primarily limited to the distribution area of the sciatic nerve, including the back of the thigh, the back of the calf, the outer side, and the sole of the foot, as well as the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot. Second, muscle strength governed by the sciatic nerve begins to diminish. Third, there are fixed tender points. Tender points are located at the ischial notch or could also be at the exit of the piriformis muscle. Fourth, there are symptoms of sciatic nerve traction, such as positive limb elevation, or positive straight leg raise test and enhancement test. Fifth, the Achilles tendon reflex is weakened or absent, while the muscle penetrative reflex is abnormally heightened due to stimulation. Sixth pertains to abnormal sensations in the areas governed by the sciatic nerve, including reduced or absent sensations, reduced absolute vibration at the external ankle, and some very mild sensory disturbances.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 8sec

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Symptoms of Sciatica

Symptoms of sciatica: First, sciatica often occurs in the lumbar 4 and lumbar 5, or between lumbar 5 and sacral 1 disc herniation. Second, the primary symptom of sciatica is pain, which typically originates in the lower back and can radiate to the buttock, posterior thigh, the lateral side of the calf, and the lateral edge of the foot sole. Pain usually has a triggering factor, such as coughing, sneezing, defecation, etc., basically any activity that increases abdominal pressure can cause radiating pain of the sciatic nerve. Third, the area innervated by the sciatic nerve may become hypersensitive, with some people feeling pain, others feeling heat, and still others feeling cold, until the later stages where it generally becomes numbness and dullness. Fourth, there are limitations in movement of the lower back or limbs, with many patients reporting a feeling as if there’s a shortened tendon at the back of the thigh, restricting movement. These are the primary symptoms of sciatica.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

38sec

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Sciatica belongs to which department?

Sciatica mostly falls under the category of orthopedics. It is a common orthopedic disease, with primary and secondary causes. The secondary type is often caused by compression at the exit point of the lumbar spine and sciatic nerve, so sciatica can be treated in orthopedics or spinal surgery. Primary sciatica, generally caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve, is managed by neurology. To address sciatica, many hospitals now have departments of pain management. Therefore, sciatica can be treated by four departments: orthopedics, spinal surgery, neurology, and pain management.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

58sec

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Can sciatica patients walk?

Sciatica can be managed with activities like walking, brisk walking, or jogging. It is best to walk or even walk backwards. It is important to avoid sitting for long periods, bending over, or carrying heavy objects. When the spine is bent, it can increase the pressure on the intervertebral discs, potentially worsening the nucleus pulposus, rupturing the annulus fibrosus, and causing a series of symptoms related to nerve root compression. This compression can cause local swelling, which can press on the nerves to varying degrees. It is recommended to strictly rest on a hard bed, and generally, with about ten days to two weeks of warming up the lower back, recovery is usually achievable. Gradual relief and disappearance of symptoms can occur, and it is advisable to avoid sitting for long periods, bending, or carrying heavy loads. Moderate walking is suitable.