Sciatica refers to irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the largest single nerve in the human body, which originates in the lower back and terminates just below the buttocks. Sciatic nerve pain travels down the back of the leg and may develop due to lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, or degenerative disc disease. A major symptom of sciatica is anterior hip and buttock pain. Other symptoms may include low back pain that radiates into the foot and toes. Tingling or numbness in the lower extremities and weakness in the leg and foot are also common. Symptoms of sciatica usually occur on only one side of the body.

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