What does bilateral sciatica feel like?

Sciatica radiates pain down the legs and feet, away from the source, and is a sign of nerve irritation or inflammation. It causes an electric shock sensation and numbness in the legs and feet.

Is bilateral sciatica a disability?

In most cases, people with sciatica do not qualify for Social Security disability unless they also have another health condition.

How do you treat sciatica in both legs?

Alternating heat and ice therapy can provide immediate relief of sciatic nerve pain. Ice can help reduce inflammation, while heat encourages blood flow to the painful area (which speeds healing). Heat and ice may also help ease painful muscle spasms that often accompany sciatica.

What is bilateral sciatic neuropathy?

Bilateral sciatic neuropathy is a rare condition and it has been described as a compression or entrapment neuropathy but it is an uncommon clinical manifestation due to necrotizing vasculitis.

Is it common to have bilateral sciatica?

Bilateral sciatica. Bilateral sciatica occurs in both legs together. This type of sciatica is rare and may occur due to degenerative changes in the vertebrae and/or the disc at several spinal levels, or from serious conditions such as cauda equina syndrome.

Is bilateral sciatica a red flag?

Bilateral sciatica is a red flag symptom of cauda equina syndrome.

Can you go paralyzed from sciatica?

The most common symptom of sciatica is severe and burning pain down one leg, the buttocks, lower back, or in the foot. In the most extreme cases, the pain may be so intense that it can cause paralysis, muscle weakness or total numbness, which occurs when the nerve is pinched between the adjacent bone and disc.

What causes sciatica in both legs?

Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.

What happens if you get sciatica in both legs?

Another clue: Sciatica usually strikes just one side. “If you have pain in both legs, it is less likely a disc herniation, but more likely due to degenerative changes like spinal stenosis,” he says.

Can sciatica be on both sides of the body?

Sciatic nerve pain is characterized by the following symptoms: A pain in one side of the lower back, buttock or leg. Sciatica very rarely will affect both sides. Sciatic pain is most often described as tingling or burning.

What are some common causes of a bilateral sciatica?

Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in your lower back)

Degenerative disk disease (breakdown of disks,which act as cushions between the vertebrae)

Spondylolisthesis (a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over another one)

Pregnancy

Muscle spasm in the back or buttocks

What does bilateral mean in science?

Bilateral as the word suggest means symmetry along a central line or axis. The word bilateral is usually used in diplomatic matters. It has various meanings across various subjects including science, politics and in every walk of life.

Does bilateral sciatica mean I have cauda equina syndrome?

Bilateral sciatica Pain, tingling and weakness in both legs does not necessarily mean that you have cauda equina syndrome. However, it could indicate that you are developing this appalling condition and you probably require an urgent MRI scan in order to confirm the cause of your symptoms. Sciatica in one leg may be just that.