Question
Where exactly is the sciatic nerve? I've had a pain under my right buttocks that runs down the back of my leg to about the knee and hasn't gotten any better in over three weeks. Am I on the right track in suspecting sciatica?
Answer
Like all nerves, the sciatic nerve originates from the spinal cord and is made up of a bundle of those nerves. It travels within the pelvis, and exits the pelvis to the back of the thigh deep into the buttock. Irritation of any of the nerves in the spine, or the sciatic nerve itself, feels like a burning or sharp pain from the low back or the buttock, extending down the thigh. The pain can extend down to the leg and foot, and is often referred to as a "sciatica."
Irritation can be due to many causes, including disc herniation in the spine or arthritis of the spine. An evaluation by your doctor or a spine specialist will help determine the cause.