How to Get Tested for Sciatica

By eHow Health Editor

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Sciatica pain indicates that you have damaged the sciatic nerve, which is located in the back of your leg. Symptoms of sciatica include pain anywhere from the lower back and buttocks to the toes, and weakness, numbness or tingling in the legs. If your pain and weakness don't subside or get worse, or if you have trouble bending over for several weeks, you should call the doctor.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

List your medications, symptoms and pain so you can provide accurate information when you see the doctor.

Step2

See a doctor for a medical exam. Usually you will fill out a Pain Diagram with questions regarding your pain and condition. Your doctor will review your current medications and medical history to help make a diagnosis.

Step3

Have the doctor perform a neuromuscular exam on your legs. This consists of movement tests such as bending the knees and moving the feet to see if there is weakness or other difficulties, such as weak reflexes.

Step4

Get further testing if needed. The doctor may have you take one of several tests, including a spinal X-ray, a CT scan or myelogram CT scan, an MRI, an EMG or further blood tests.

Step5

Learn what these tests detect. A spinal x-ray shows cancers of the bone, narrowed disks and rules out causes of nerve root pain like fractures or bone tumors. A computed tomography scan or CT scan and a myelogram CT scan show herniated disks, bone spurs or tumors. An MRI detects damage to your disks and ligaments, and can show if there are any tumors present. An electromyography, also called an EMG, records electrical activity in the muscles. Small needles placed into the muscles measure electrical activity. There may be small amount of discomfort when the needles go into the skin. The test lasts for 30 to 60 minutes.

Step6

Determine treatment with the doctor. Treatment options include a combination of medication, diet, exercise and physical therapy.