What Causes Post-Accident Sciatica?
Sciatica is a symptom — pain, numbness, or weakness radiating along the sciatic nerve from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg. In car accident patients, it's most commonly caused by a herniated lumbar disc pressing on a nerve root.
Symptoms
- Sharp, burning, or shooting pain from the lower back into the buttock and leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Leg weakness — difficulty standing or walking
- Pain worsening with sitting
- In severe cases: bladder or bowel changes (seek emergency care immediately)
Diagnosis: MRI + EMG/NCV
Lumbar MRI identifies disc herniations causing compression. EMG/NCV (electromyography/nerve conduction velocity) testing objectively measures nerve function and confirms nerve damage. EMG/NCV findings are particularly valuable legally because they produce objective, measurable evidence that can't be dismissed as subjective.
EMG/NCV testing on-site at MAIC. Objective nerve damage documentation. Call 866-404-MAIC.
Treatment
Most accident-related sciatica responds to conservative treatment: chiropractic, physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections. Cases not responding to conservative care may require surgical intervention — available at MAIC's in-house surgery center.