By Frank Lorch, MD
Sciatica can be a huge pain in your backside – literally.
And if ignored or left untreated, the agonizing sensations associated with it could haunt a runner for life. What some runners might not realize is sciatica often is a symptom of an underlying problem with several possible causes, such as tight hamstrings, leg-length discrepancies or a herniated disk. Piriformis syndrome also is thought to cause sciatica because the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed by the piriformis, a pear-shaped muscle in the groin region.
“Sciatica is an overused and misinterpreted term for pain radiating down the leg,” says Dr. Frank Lorch, MD, with Carolinas HealthCare System’s Sport Medicine and Injury Care.”Although it can be a serious condition that leads to leg weakness, it is more of a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that all other potential causes of leg pain should be ruled out before a runner attributes symptoms to sciatica.”
One of the largest nerves in the body, the sciatic nerve runs from the lower spine, over the buttocks, to both feet. Often mistaken for lower back pain or leg cramps, sciatica puts pressure on or pinches the sciatic nerve and firest pain down the back or thigh to the legs.
Runners usually don’t get sciatica from running alone. Typically, the nerve path gets damaged by something else and running aggravates the problem. Because of the slow onset of symptoms, some runners ignore sciatica until discomfort becomes chronic or permanent injury occurs.
Dr. Lorch encourages his patients not to mistake sciatica for a hamstring strain.
“If a runner is having persisting pain in their hamstring that is unresponsive to usual care for muscle strains, it could be due to a pinched nerve,” he says.
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For more information on running on different surfaces call 704.512.3995 or visit CarolinasHealthCare.org/Sports to schedule an appointment with one of our experts at Sports Medicine & Injury Care.
