What's the Difference Between Arthritis and Sciatica?

From healthline.com

Two common causes of back pain are arthritis and sciatica. While both affect the spine and back, they’re not the result of the same issue, and there are different treatments and outlooks for these conditions.

Back pain can come in many forms. It may feel like a sudden, sharp jolt; a throbbing, chronic pain; or possibly an achy stiffness that makes getting out of bed difficult.

Indeed, back pain is one of the most common ailmentsTrusted Source Americans face. It’s also a leading cause of disability. Chronic back pain costs Americans billions every year in treatment and emergency care.

But back pain shouldn’t be ignored. Identifying the likely cause can lead to helpful treatment and even relief.

This article will help you better understand the differences between arthritis and sciatica, two common causes of back pain, and how these two conditions are treated in an effort to ease the pain they can cause.

Arthritis or sciatica? How to tell the difference

It’s true that arthritis of the spine and sciatica cause one similar symptom: pain. But from there, the symptoms of these two conditions are quite different. Treatment for them is different, too.

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Illustration by Jason Hoffman

Arthritis in the spine

Arthritis is a term used to describe joint pain with inflammation in the body. Arthritis isn’t one disease. It includes several conditions that can impact the joints.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that can affect the spine. But osteoarthritis is the most common causeTrusted Source of pain and stiffness in the back.

Osteoarthritis develops over time. With age, the cushioning cartilage and discs between the bones of the spine (known as vertebrae) begin to wear away. This reduces the space between the bones and can put pressure on the joints and ligaments in the spine. This is why osteoarthritis is sometimes called “wear and tear” arthritis.

The pain and stiffness that accompany osteoarthritis develop gradually in most cases. The changes to the spine are slow, so the pain is slow to develop, too. It is often a chronic disease, however, and the damage to the joints will continue.

Common symptoms of osteoarthritis of the spine include:

• difficulty moving or restricted movement
• stiffness
• pain, often dull and aching
• swelling
• symptoms feeling worse after movement

Osteoarthritis of the spine can affect anyone, but it’s more common in people ages 60 and older. It also becomes more common the older you get.

If you had a back injury when you were younger, arthritis in the spine can develop earlier than the age of 60. That’s because the cartilage may be damaged and can break down sooner.

Overweight or obesity can also increase your risk of arthritis in the spine. The extra weight, especially in the abdomen, can put greater pressure on the joints of the spine. This speeds up the “wear and tear” damage.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a term used to describe any condition that causes inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve. This large nerve extends from near the low back into the hips, buttocks, and legs.

Sciatica is usually the result of a sudden change in the spine such as a slipped disc. This occurs when one of the discs or cushioning cartilage between the bones of the spine is injured. The soft, gelatinous portion of the inner disc breaks through, or slips through, the tougher outer portion.

The symptoms of sciatica usually show up suddenly. They may occur after a day of moving furniture or sleeping awkwardly on a couch or bed. The symptoms can be severe, even debilitating, but they also can resolve, even without treatment, in several weeks.

Common symptoms of sciatica include:

• sharp, sudden pain
• pain that extends from the lower back into the hip, thigh, and leg
• weakness or numbness in the thighs and legs
• symptoms may improve with movement

Sciatica is more common in people in their 40s and 50s, but it can affect anyone of any age, really. As people grow older, damage to the spine, such as arthritis, can also make sciatica more common.

Potential coexisting and possibly related conditions may occur with sciatica. These possible causes can include:

• spinal stenosis
• degenerative disc disease
• a neuromuscular disorder such as piriformis disorder

Can arthritis cause sciatica?

Yes, arthritis can cause sciatica. Osteoarthritis in the spine can damage and destroy the cushioning discs and cartilage between the bones of the spinal column. As the damage worsens, the sciatic nerve may become irritated or inflamed. The risk of a slipped discs is higher, too, and this increases the risk of sciatica.

Arthritis in the spine can also cause bone spurs to develop. These bony growths along the spine are small but can be jagged. These can put pressure on the lumbar nerves.

Can you have arthritis and sciatica at the same time?

Yes, it’s possible to have both arthritis and sciatica at the same time — and all the pain and discomfort that accompany both conditions.

Arthritis causes ongoing, chronic damage to the spine. This puts the nerves around the spine at risk of inflammation and injury. This includes the sciatic nerve.

If you have arthritis in your spine, getting the right diagnosis and treatment may help reduce symptoms of the condition. It may also help lower the risk of a slipped disc or another injury that can lead to sciatica.

Treatment and medical care

Pain that comes on slowly may feel like a typical part of aging. Sudden pain, however, often drives people to get emergency care. But both conditions need a proper diagnosis from a medical professional so you can get the right treatment and prevent further damage.

Treatment for arthritis

Arthritis treatment aims to lower pain and inflammation while improving mobility.

Medication is a common treatment option for arthritis. These medications can include over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as ibuprofen.

In more severe cases, prescription muscle relaxants may be prescribed. Pain-relieving opioids can be used, too, but these are frequently only prescribed for short periods of time.

In addition to pain management, a healthcare professional will likely recommend home exercises or physical therapy. These treatments can teach you movements and stretches that may help lower pain and provide relief.

Aerobics, weight training, yoga, and resistance exercise can also be used at home or with a physical therapist to strengthen the muscles of your core and spine and hopefully lower future inflammation and injury.

In rare cases, surgery may be needed to repair discs or remove bone spurs.

Treatment for sciatica

Even without treatment, sciatica can resolve on its own in a few weeks, but because the pain can be so debilitating, treatment is typically needed.

TreatmentTrusted Source for the symptoms of sciatica include pain-relieving medications, both OTC and prescription. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed to lower pain, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help lower inflammation.

Gentle stretches may help relieve the pain and tingling in the back and legs. It’s usually advisable to avoid any activities that worsen the pain such as sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Hot and cold packs can also be helpful. Alternating between these two may help lower inflammation and pain.

In some cases, steroid injections may be needed for immediate relief. Surgery may also be required if a structural issue in the spine or pelvis is putting pressure on a lumbar nerve.

The bottom line

Back pain shouldn’t be taken for granted as you age. Sure, wear and tear on the bones of the spine and hips can cause pain and stiffness, but debilitating pain isn’t a certainty.

Both sciatica and osteoarthritis can impact your spine and, with age, are more common. But both conditions can be treated, and in some cases, the pain and symptoms they cause can even be prevented.

To get the right treatment, you first need an accurate diagnosis. So, if you’re experiencing pain or stiffness in your back, make an appointment to visit a doctor or healthcare professional. Getting the right type of treatment can provide relief, lower pain, and improve your mobility and quality of life.

https://www.healthline.com/health/arthritis/arthritis-and-sciatica

 

5 Things You Need to Know About Sciatica

From abingtonhealth.org

Back pain can be a real nuisance. It can potentially interrupt your ability to sleep, work, exercise, and affect other normal activities. However, that pain can be particularly worrisome and have a real impact on your life when it radiates down into your backside and leg, which is known as sciatica.

Sciatica is relatively common – about four out of 10 people will experience it at some point in their lives. Here’s what you need to know about that pain, including where it’s coming from and what you can do to ease it.

1. Sciatica is different than your typical back pain

“Back pain and sciatica pain are two completely different things,” said Dr. Guy Lee, an orthopaedic surgeon with the Rothman Institute.

Low back pain is usually due to strain or injury to the muscles and ligaments supporting the back, with the pain focused in the muscles next to the spine, potentially moving to the buttocks.

“People can suffer back pain on and off for a variety of reasons, but once it radiates down your backside and leg, that’s sciatic pain,” he said. The sciatic nerve is made up of the lower nerve roots in the lumbar spine. When those nerves are irritated, the pain travels down the sciatic nerve, typically through the buttocks and down the back of the leg.

2. Sciatica is a symptom

“Sciatica is a fairly generic term – it implies inflammation with the sciatic nerve,” Dr. Lee said. “It's usually associated with a herniated disc.”

The discs are rubbery cushions between the vertebrae that build up your spine. “These discs are like a jelly donut,” Dr. Lee says, “and if the jelly leaks out, it can touch or compress the lumbar nerve, which leads to sciatica.”

“If the disc tears, the ‘jelly’ can leak out and if it’s on the right or the left side, it can compress the nerve,” he explained.

3. Certain positions and movements can worsen the pain

When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or inflamed due to a herniated disc, the pain is generally worse when seated.

“When you sit, you’re putting pressure on the disc and the disc can push out a little more,” Dr. Lee said, noting that if he walks into an exam room to see a patient with a back issue and they’re standing, that patient is likely suffering from a herniated disc and sciatica pain – and they’re more comfortable standing.

Heavy lifting can make the pain worse and coughing can cause more of the “jelly” to leak out, potentially causing or worsening the pain.

4. There are some things you can do to ease the pain

If you have sciatica pain, you should be taking anti-inflammatories.

“If a herniated disc leaks out, anti-inflammatories can help alleviate the symptoms,” Dr. Lee said. “Sometimes a doctor will prescribe steroid medication – that can lower the inflammatory response, helping with the pain.”

Rest can also help, but relative rest is best.

“You can rest for a day or two, but you want to be up and stretching your leg,” Dr. Lee recommended. “We try to do nerve gliding exercises to keep the nerve moving so it doesn’t get stuck.”

When it comes to using heat or cold to ease the pain, Dr. Lee said there’s no science behind either one helping.

“Some people think applying heat can help. You can try heat or ice, whatever makes it feel better,” he said. Just be careful if you do try either one.

“With heat or ice, you can burn yourself if you leave it on too long,” Dr. Lee cautioned.

5. Severe pain should signal you to call your doctor

It’s very common to have a herniated disc, which leads to sciatica pain, but, according to Dr. Lee, a lot of the time, the herniation will go away on its own and get better with conservative care.

However, there are some signs that you may need more treatment. Those signs include weakness, especially in the leg, numbness beyond pain and bilateral symptoms.

“If the herniated disc is big enough, there can be more permanency if you don’t get it treated,” Dr. Lee said. In some cases, the herniated disc can get so large, he said, that it can cause a massive hernia, knocking out your bowel and bladder function.

“That’s a surgical emergency…once you start to have bowel and bladder issues, you can be left with permanent disability,” he said.

https://www.abingtonhealth.org/healthy-living/health-news/library/articles-related-to-bone-and-joints/5-things-about-sciatica/ 

What Does It Feel Like When You Have Sciatica?

From healthdigest.com

Have you ever experienced a tingling sensation in the buttocks or legs? Perhaps you're also having lower back pain? These are common symptoms of sciatica, a condition that affects up to 40% of the population, according to 2007 clinical research published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia. This peripheral nervous system disorder can cause severe pain, making it difficult to stay active. It usually occurs around age 50, but it may affect younger people, too.

Sciatic neuralgia, or sciatica, causes pain on one side of the body, explains the Mayo Clinic. Most people experience flare-ups when the sciatic nerve is compressed or pinched. Aging, obesity, physical work, prolonged sitting, and certain diseases, such as diabetes, can contribute to this condition. For example, carpenters and drivers are more likely to experience sciatica pain than the average person, reports the British Journal of Anaesthesia. Another risk factor is cigarette smoking, suggests a 2015 review featured in the American Journal of Medicine.

This condition may also be due to spinal bone spurs, herniated discs, poor posture, or injuries. Sometimes, it affects those with lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition that causes the spinal canal to narrow, notes MedlinePlus. However, several other disorders — including shingles, endometriosis, piriformis syndrome, and hip osteoarthritis — may cause sciatic nerve pain or mimic sciatica symptoms, explains Spine Universe. 

Is it sciatica or something else?

Sciatica isn't the same as low back pain. Its symptoms may or may not include back pain, and you can develop this condition despite having a healthy spine. The pain can be felt anywhere along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lumbar area to the foot and toes, explains the Cleveland Clinic. For example, you may experience a "pins and needles" sensation in your hamstrings after sitting for long periods. Other symptoms may include numbness or weakness in the leg, hips, or buttocks. Some people also have difficulty moving the affected foot and toes, according to NewYork-Presbyterian.

These symptoms can occur suddenly or develop over time, depending on the cause. It's not uncommon to have flare-ups after playing sports or sitting in an awkward position. Sneezing and other sudden movements can make things worse, says the Cleveland Clinic. In rare cases, sciatica may cause difficulty walking, loss of bowel or bladder control, or poor balance. Cauda equina syndrome, a life-threatening complication, can lead to paralysis and permanent bowel dysfunction, warns the NHS.

On the positive side, sciatica may subside on its own. Most symptoms improve within two to three months — even without treatment, reports a 2020 review published in BMJ Open. However, you may still experience flare-ups, especially if you have a chronic condition affecting the sciatic nerve. Treatment usually includes self-help measures, physiotherapy, gentle exercise, medications, corticosteroid shots, or alternative therapies. Surgery is only recommended in severe cases. 

https://www.healthdigest.com/988234/what-does-it-feel-like-when-you-have-sciatica/