Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
This Summer I Have Periodic Instances Of Sciatica Pain Causing
Question: This summer I have periodic instances of sciatica pain causing complete numbness and tingling in my left leg. Often when I am walking. Sometimes it lasts for half an hour. I can still walk, but my gait seems awkward.
For a while my urination seems very slow and dribbly.
Yesterday I had bowel incontinence- a large amount. I was walking and felt the urgency, but was unable to control it until I got home 5 minutes later.
For a while my urination seems very slow and dribbly.
Yesterday I had bowel incontinence- a large amount. I was walking and felt the urgency, but was unable to control it until I got home 5 minutes later.
Brief Answer:
imaging of the spine would be helpful
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The sciatic nerve is one of the major nerves in the body. It originates from nerves that come out from the lower back.
The bladder receives nerves that come out from the lower back as well, it is not supplied by the sciatic nerve.
THe bone in the back (vertebra) contain discs between them. In some persons there are changes either in the vertebra themselves (eg arthritis or spinal stenos - narrowing of the space) or changes in the discs.
These changes can be affect the nerves that come out from the spinal cord and pass through different spaces in the vertebra to go to the leg/thigh/feet as well as the organs such as the bladder.
It would be best for you to have imaging of the spine done to determine if there are any changes to the bones and discs that may be causing your symptoms. Compression or any pressure on the nerves can cause these symptoms.
An MRI of the spine would be the best option because it can take a look at both the nerves and the bones and the discs.
Further treatment would depend on the findings of the imaging
Your doctor can request the imaging for you.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
imaging of the spine would be helpful
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The sciatic nerve is one of the major nerves in the body. It originates from nerves that come out from the lower back.
The bladder receives nerves that come out from the lower back as well, it is not supplied by the sciatic nerve.
THe bone in the back (vertebra) contain discs between them. In some persons there are changes either in the vertebra themselves (eg arthritis or spinal stenos - narrowing of the space) or changes in the discs.
These changes can be affect the nerves that come out from the spinal cord and pass through different spaces in the vertebra to go to the leg/thigh/feet as well as the organs such as the bladder.
It would be best for you to have imaging of the spine done to determine if there are any changes to the bones and discs that may be causing your symptoms. Compression or any pressure on the nerves can cause these symptoms.
An MRI of the spine would be the best option because it can take a look at both the nerves and the bones and the discs.
Further treatment would depend on the findings of the imaging
Your doctor can request the imaging for you.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
