US Medical Term · conditions
Sciatica
Ciática
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Sciatica |
| Spanish (Español) | Ciática |
| Chinese (中文) | 坐骨神經痛 |
| Korean (한국어) | 좌골신경통 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Đau thần kinh tọa |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Sciatica |
| Portuguese (Português) | Ciática |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | อาการปวดร้าวเส้นประสาทไซอาติก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 坐骨神経痛 |
What it means
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. It is typically caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or narrowing of the spine compressing part of the nerve. The pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or electric shock—usually affecting one side of the body. Numbness and tingling in the leg or foot are common. Most sciatica resolves with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and time, though severe cases may require injections or surgery.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have sciatica and the pain shoots down my left leg from my lower back.
Tengo ciática y el dolor me baja por la pierna izquierda desde la parte baja de la espalda.
My sciatica makes it impossible to sit for more than a few minutes without severe pain.
Mi ciática me impide sentarme por más de unos minutos sin dolor intenso.
Would a steroid injection into the spine help relieve my sciatica?
¿Una inyección de esteroides en la columna ayudaría a aliviar mi ciática?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
M54 DorsalgiaRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026