Sciatica

Sciatica is a generic term used by patients to describe pain radiating into their legs. In its truest definition sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve. This is rarely the cause of pain in the lower extremity. Sciatica is often misapplied to a situation where a disc herniation or other damage is causing compression of a nerve in the spinal canal. This is more correctly called a radiculopathy.