

TB is a very rare cause of sciatica, but if symptoms persist, and a person has a history of exposure to TB, testing is important. A person may also have symptoms of TB, such as breathing problems or coughing. It happens when the infection creates an abscess that spreads to the sacroiliac joint in the pelvis and lower spine. Sacroiliac joint tuberculosis, which doctors call tuberculous sacroiliitis, is a rare form of tuberculosis (TB), a lung infection. little physical activity and prolonged sittingĪs sciatica often follows an injury, people may also find that the symptoms do not improve if they continue the activity that caused the original injury.People with these risk factors may find that sciatica becomes chronic or recurs. Several lifestyle factors may increase the risk of sciatic pain or extend the healing time. Wear and tearĪs a person ages, the normal wear and tear on their spine can cause the spinal column to narrow, resulting in spinal stenosis.įor some people, spinal stenosis causes chronic or worsening pain. It is important that people with sciatica see a doctor to rule out potentially dangerous conditions such as cancer, especially when sciatica does not go away. In other cases, an epidural hematoma, which is a swollen blood spot near the spine, can cause the pain. Spinal mass or cancerĪny type of mass in or near the spine may trap spinal nerves, causing sciatic pain. This abscess can trap spinal nerves, causing sciatica and, sometimes, other symptoms.Ī person with an abscess may develop a fever, have pain in other areas of the body, or find that sciatica begins after they have another infection. InfectionĪn infection in or around the spine can cause an abscess, which is a swollen and infected mass. Treating the underlying condition may help treat the sciatica. People with chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may notice that their sciatica flares when their condition gets worse. Inflammatory conditions can trap spinal nerves, causing sciatic pain. However, people who have a herniated disk from an injury may develop the same injury again, especially if they continue repeating the movements that led to it. People with herniated disks often remember a specific injury that triggered the pain.Īn injury does not mean that the pain will be chronic. When they do not, this may cause chronic pain.


In most cases, herniated disks improve on their own within a few weeks. Many acute and chronic cases happen because of a herniated disk. Herniated diskĭoctors do not know why some cases of sciatica become chronic. The most common cause is a herniated disk in the lower spine.Īnother risk factor is spinal stenosis, a condition that causes the spinal column to narrow. Sciatica happens when something presses on or traps the sciatic nerve. Share on Pinterest Westend61/Getty Images
