Can Sciatica Cause Foot Pain?

Most of the time, we don’t consider that our back could be the source of our foot pain. Although the feeling of pins and needles isn’t particularly pleasant, as long as it subsides immediately, it usually isn’t a cause for concern. But if you’ve noticed persistent tingling and numbness in your feet, particularly if it lasts for a while and comes back frequently, there might be a more serious issue at hand.

So is it possible for sciatica to cause foot pain? Foot pain frequently occurs in the case of sciatica. A damaged or pinched nerve root in the lower back may cause pain to travel down the sciatic nerve to the feet. A diagnosis of nerve damage can be made if you have foot pain following trauma to your lower back. Consider examining your sciatic nerve further to determine if it may have contributed to the cause of your foot pain.

Sciatica and Foot Pain: Are They Connected?

Most people are often shocked to learn that a back problem that seems unrelated to their foot pain may actually be the reason. But it can still happen. When it develops, this kind of pain is often brought on by an issue with the lumbar region of the back that is creating nerve disturbances in other parts of the body. Nerve conditions in the foot that originate in this region are frequently identified as sciatica symptoms.

Sometimes, the symptoms of sciatic pain might be attributed to aging and lumbar spine degeneration. Sciatica signs and symptoms may include:

• Lower leg pain, knee pain and foot discomfort
• Muscle weakness in the thighs, legs, and buttocks
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Muscles spasms
• Symptoms that only occasionally affect one leg

Sciatica frequently begins in one leg, but it can spread to the other leg, the buttocks, the feet, and even the toes. One of two things — trauma, such as an accident, illness, or surgery — or a mechanical issue with your body, such as a herniated disk, pelvic congestion syndrome, or piriformis syndrome — usually sets off this condition, despite the fact that there are many other causes. It may also result from the spinal cord inflammation brought on by an infection.

The main source of pain, which frequently extends down one side of the body from the spine, may feel stabbing or scorching in character. Because it has an impact on the nerves that connect down to these regions, it might result in foot and ankle pain. Additionally, some individuals experience progressive numbness, tingling, or burning sensations when moving or changing positions.

How to Determine What Is Causing Your Foot Pain

It could be challenging to determine the precise underlying cause of nerve pain in the foot given the variety of potential reasons. You can use the following indicators to determine the cause of your foot pain:

• If you experience foot pain following a recent injury to your lower back, hip, knee, or ankle, this may indicate damage to your nerves.
• Sciatica or nerve root compression can also cause foot pain, numbness, and muscle weakness in the buttocks, thighs, and legs; and usually only affects one leg.
• The peroneal or sural nerves are compressed close to the knee or ankle and may be the cause of foot pain that occurs after wearing tight boots or shoes.
• Sciatic neuropathy may be the cause of foot pain that appears following a hip injection or hip surgery.

Additionally, systemic conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, which affect the nerves in the body, can cause nerve discomfort in the feet. Foot pain can result from twisting, bending, or taking a direct impact to the ankle or foot that damages the bones in the foot, the ankle joint, muscles, blood vessels, and tendons.

Sciatica-Related Conditions That Cause Foot Pain

Sciatic nerve pain is frequently caused by a pinched nerve. Typically, lower back pain goes together with foot sciatica pain. The discomfort or severe pain you’re feeling appears to originate in your lower back and travel down your leg to your foot. Low back pain and discomfort can be brought on by a slipped disc because it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve root.

Finding the precise source of your foot pain would be ideal. A thorough diagnosis can be made through an examination by a qualified medical professional. Sciatica may result from any of the following lower back conditions:

• Herniated Lumbar Disc: A herniated disc occurs when the inner core of a disc is forced out through the outer core, leading to low back pain. Pressure from the pressing or leaking exerted on the nerve root may extend down to the sciatic nerve. Depending on where the herniated disc is, sciatic nerve pain may go down the leg and into the foot.
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A disorder known as lumbar spinal stenosis refers to the nerve compression of the spinal column, which causes inflammation in the affected region. The foot may experience severe pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness as a result of this nerve compression.
• Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips across another vertebra, changing the segment of the spinal canal. Pinched nerves caused by this displacement frequently send pain down to the lower leg and into the foot.

Diagnosis and Management of Sciatica Pain

It is essential that a qualified medical professional correctly diagnoses the main reason for foot pain. Seeing a spine specialist is recommended if one suspects their leg pain and foot pain are caused by a lower back problem. The back specialist will be able to diagnose any lower back conditions that may be causing the pain.

How Is Sciatica Diagnosed?

Your medical history will be examined initially by your healthcare practitioner. They’ll then inquire further about your symptoms. During your physical examination, you will be instructed to walk so that the doctor can assess how your spinal column supports your weight.

To assess the strength of your calf muscles, you could be requested to walk on your toes and heels. A straight leg raise test might also be performed by your medical professional. You’ll lie on your back and extend your legs straight during this test.

Your healthcare professional will progressively raise each leg to see where your pain originates. This examination identifies the nerves that are damaged and determines whether you have a disk condition. In order to locate pain and assess muscular strength and flexibility, further stretches and motions will also be requested of you.

Imaging and other tests may be carried out, depending on what the medical professional learns during your physical examination. These imaging and other tests might include:

• X-rays of the spinal canal to check for bone spurs, infections, malignancies, and spinal fractures.
• For a detailed view of the bone and soft tissues on your back, you will need to undergo computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• An MRI can reveal disk herniation, pressure on a nerve, and any arthritic conditions that may be putting pressure on a nerve. MRIs are typically requested to confirm the sciatica diagnosis.
• Examining the speed at which electrical impulses move through the sciatic nerve and how muscles react using nerve conduction velocity studies and electromyography.
• To find out whether a disk or vertebra is the source of the discomfort, medical professionals may perform a myelogram.

How to Treat Sciatica-Related Foot Pain

Each person who experiences sciatica is unique. Different types of pain can have varying degrees of intensity, and different things can trigger these symptoms. A more drastic course of action might be tried first for some patients. In general, if a 6-week trial of conservative, self-care measures, such as cold and hot compress, stretching, and over-the-counter medications, hasn’t yielded relief, it may be time to go back to a doctor and try another course of action.

There are several ways to treat sciatica symptoms, such as:

• Prescription medications: To ease the chronic pain brought on by muscle spasms, your doctor may give muscle relaxants such cyclobenzaprine. Anti-seizure medications and tricyclic antidepressants are two other drugs with pain-relieving effects that can be considered. Prescription painkillers may be utilized early in your treatment plan, depending on how much pain you are experiencing.
• Physical therapy: Physical therapy aims to develop an exercise routine that lessen sciatica by relieving pressure on the nerve. Stretching exercises to increase muscle flexibility and cardiovascular exercises like walking, swimming, and water aerobics should both be included in an exercise program. A medical professional can recommend a physical therapist who will collaborate with you to create a stretching and aerobic exercise routine as well as other activities to strengthen the muscles in your legs, back, and abdomen.
• Spinal injections: Corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory medications, can be injected into the lower back to treat chronic pain and swelling that are present around the injured nerve roots. Injections are administered as an outpatient treatment under local anesthetic and offer temporary pain relief. This treatment usually lasts up to 3 months. While the injection is being administered, you can experience pressure and a burning or stinging sensation. Discuss the hazards of injections with your healthcare professional, as well as how many you should receive.
• Alternative treatments: Alternative treatments are used to manage and treat various types of pain, and they are growing in popularity. Alternative treatments for sciatica include yoga, acupuncture, or spine manipulation by a qualified chiropractor. Muscle spasms, which frequently accompany sciatica, might be relieved by massage. Another option for managing pain and reducing stress is biofeedback.

Get Sciatica Pain Relief at New York Pain Care

Consult the highly regarded and board-certified spine and pain specialists in New York. In order to help you ultimately find relief and return to a pain-free lifestyle, we will examine all potential solutions for your issue, including non-surgical, interventional, and alternative treatments.

Our staff includes spine specialists, physical therapists, sports medicine doctors, physiatrists, and qualified acupuncturists, and we treat anything from lower back pain to severe knee pain and injuries. Call us today to learn more about New York Pain Care’s non-surgical, integrative approach to pain management.