Sciatica is the result of a neurological problem in the back or an entrapped nerve in the pelvis or buttock. There are a set of neurological symptoms such as:

• Pain (intense pain in the buttock)
• Lumbosacral radicular leg pain
• Numbness
• Muscular weakness
• Gait dysfunction
• Sensory impairment
• Sensory disturbance
• Hot and cold or tinglings or burning sensations in the legs
• Reflex impairment

Sciatica can begin suddenly and symptoms may be intermittent or constant. Symptoms may worsen with increased intra-abdominal pressure (for example coughing).

Other causes of sciatica can include:

Spinal stenosis:
Spondylosis: a degenerative spinal osteoarthritis
Nerve entrapment: a muscle in the buttock may compress the sciatic nerve and cause pain. For example the piriformis syndrome
Inflammation and swelling from arthritis, sprains, joint slippage or infection. Infections can be caused by iliopsoas, pelvic and gluteal abscesses.
Vascular problems: due to increased blood volume in the spine during the late stages of pregnancy, the fixed space inside the spinal cord may narrow and cause compression on the nerves.
Central mechanisms: stroke, cerebral hemorrhage or sclerosis can cause pain in the sciatic area.
Traumatic pathologies: o Proximal hamstring injuries/avulsions o Compression of the adjacent sciatic nerve caused by edema, inflammation and haematoma formed around the affected tendon.
Gynecological pathologies: o Ectopic endometriosis, ovarian cysts and pregnancy may result in sciatica. The right side is more commonly affected.
Rare causes of Sciatica: Osteochondroma can affect the lumbar spine and the femoral neck, which can result in sciatic nerve compression.