CreakyJoints discusses the differences in lower back pain due to arthritis and sciatica according to experts including Dena Barsoum, MD, physiatrist at HSS.

Dr. Barsoum explained, “The medical term [for sciatica] is lumbar radiculopathy, and it often happens when the S1 nerve root in the low back gets pinched.”

She recommended seeing a healthcare provider for a diagnosis, who will “do an extensive [manual] neurological exam so they can assess strength, sensation, and reflexes, and try to understand which nerve or nerves might be pinched.”

Surgery is usually uncommon for sciatica. “More often than not, a patient can get completely better without surgery,” Dr. Barsoum added.

Read the full article at Creakyjoints.org.