Pain below the knee
Pain, tingling or numbness below the knee points more directly to the nerve root than pain that stops at the thigh.
Sciatica
Sciatica describes pain that follows the sciatic nerve from the low back or buttock into the leg, usually on one side. It is a symptom pattern, not a diagnosis: a herniated disc, spinal stenosis or a deep buttock muscle can each irritate the nerve.
What sciatica is
Sitting or walking
Pain that worsens with sitting and eases with walking is typical of a disc. Pain that worsens with walking and eases when you sit suggests stenosis.
Weakness
Weakness in the leg or foot suggests the nerve is compressed and raises the priority of imaging.
If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
Treating sciatica
The examination identifies the source first. Decompression is used when the findings point to a disc; stenosis and muscular sources are treated differently.
Spinal decompression
For a disc irritating the nerve root: traction of the lower back that opens the space around it.
Adjustments
For the restricted lumbar and sacroiliac joints that often accompany it, by hand or on the drop table.
Muscles and home program
Graston and electric stimulation with heat for the buttock and hip muscles, and a home program to maintain the improvement.
Imaging is not usually needed right away. Dr. Herner orders an MRI when there is weakness in the leg or foot, or when symptoms do not improve as expected.