The key difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis is that sciatica is a condition due to the compression of the sciatic nerve that just starts outside the base of the spine, while spinal stenosis is a condition due to the narrowing of the open spaces of the spine that put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves running through it.
Sciatica and spinal stenosis are two conditions that happen due to nerve compression. Both these conditions have similar symptoms, such as pain throughout the body. But they have different causes and treatments.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Sciatica
3. What is Spinal Stenosis
4. Similarities – Sciatica and Spinal Stenosis
5. Sciatica vs Spinal Stenosis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Sciatica vs Spinal Stenosis
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that happens due to the compression of the sciatic nerve, which just starts outside the base of the spine. Sciatica normally occurs in older men and women, pregnant women, and individuals who have lived through physical trauma. This condition is mainly caused due to the wear and tear on spinal discs combined with sudden changes in pressure. This can be due to herniated discs, spinal cysts, spinal stenosis, Piriformis syndrome, pelvic injury, or a tumor. The symptoms of this condition may include a mild tingling, dull ache, burning sensation, pain that occurs on the side, sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in the parts of the body, weakness in the leg and foot that often get caught on the ground while walking.
Figure 01: Sciatica
Moreover, sciatica can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, MRI, other imaging tests, and blood tests. Furthermore, treatment options for sciatica may include over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), applying heat or ice in the painful area, lifestyle changes (bed rest, back exercises, reducing activities for the first couple of days, not doing heavy lifting or twisting,) physical therapy, injection of certain medications to reduce swelling, and surgery to relieve nerve compression.
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a condition that happens due to the narrowing of the open spaces of the spine that put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that run through the spine. It is caused due to wear and tear changes in spinal bones related to arthritis, a herniated disc, bone spurs, a bulging disc, spondylolisthesis, trauma, or injuries. This condition has symptoms such as pain in the lower back, burning pain that radiates through the buttocks and into the legs, numbness, tingling, or cramping in the legs and feet, weakness in the legs and feet, neck pain, numbness that radiates down the arms into the hands and weakness in hand, arm or fingers.
Figure 02: Spinal Stenosis
Moreover, spinal stenosis can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, MRI, and CT scan. Treatment options for spinal stenosis may include medications (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs opioids), physical therapy, steroid shots, needle procedure for thickened ligaments, and surgery such as laminectomy, laminotomy, and laminoplasty.
What are the Similarities Between Sciatica and Spinal Stenosis?
- Sciatica and spinal stenosis are two conditions that are due to nerve compression.
- Spinal stenosis is a risk factor for developing sciatica.
- Both these conditions have similar symptoms, such as pain throughout the body.
- They can be seen mainly in older people.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
- They are treated through medications, physical therapies, and surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Sciatica and Spinal Stenosis?
Sciatica is a condition that is due to the compression of the sciatic nerve, which just starts outside the base of the spine, while spinal stenosis is a condition due to the narrowing of the open spaces of the spine that put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves running through it. Thus, this is the key difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis. Furthermore, sciatica is mainly characterized by intense pain throughout the lower back, hip, and leg. On the other hand, spinal stenosis is mainly characterized by intense pain throughout the upper body, muscle weakness, or loss of coordination in the arms and hands.
The below infographic presents the differences between sciatica and spinal stenosis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Sciatica vs Spinal Stenosis
Sciatica and spinal stenosis happen due to nerve compression. They have similar symptoms, such as pain throughout the body, and are more common in older people. Sciatica is due to the compression of the sciatic nerve, which just starts outside the base of the spine, while spinal stenosis is due to the narrowing of the open spaces of the spine that put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that run through it. So, this summarizes the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis.
Reference:
1. “Sciatica.” Penn Medicine.
2. “Spinal Stenosis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Sciatica” By Scientific Animations – (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Spinal Stenosis” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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