$Unique_ID{BRK00992}
$Pretitle{Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue}
$Title{Aren't the Two Terms "Lumbago" and "Sciatica" One and the Same Thing?}
$Subject{lumbago sciatica disc}
$Volume{M-2}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Aren't the Two Terms "Lumbago" and "Sciatica" One and the Same Thing?


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QUESTION:  Aren't the two terms "lumbago" and "sciatica" one and the same
thing?  It seems to me I have heard them both used to refer to the condition
of a bad back even by physicians.  Maybe it is just calculated to confuse the
patient, but I want to know.

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ANSWER:  Here is the information you requested.  No they are not the same.
Lumbago, from the Latin word "lumbus" or loin may refer to any pain in the
lower back, usually of muscular origin, but applicable to arthritic or bony
pain as well.  Sciatica or sciatic pain is caused by a compression on the
sciatic nerve which runs from the low back, across the buttocks, the back of
the thigh, into the leg, calf and foot.  The pressure on the nerve may be
caused by bony changes in the vertebrae, or from the bulging of cartilage that
occurs with a "slipped disc" (intervertebral disc).  The treatment in lumbago
is to reduce the spasm or pain in the muscles, and in sciatica, to reduce or
remove the pressure on the sciatic nerve.  Frequently heat, and analgesics are
used in both cases, which may be the origin of the confusion, for I am unaware
of the use of this term, or any other, just to confuse patients.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
