Sciatica (Radicular Leg Pain)
Evaluation and treatment planning for leg pain that radiates from the lower back, often with numbness, tingling, or weakness along a specific nerve path.
Sciatica is a pattern of pain that follows a nerve root as it leaves the lower spine and travels down the leg. The most common cause is a herniated lumbar disc pressing on the nerve, but other causes exist and benefit from a careful evaluation before any treatment plan.
Dr. Zuhair Abu Salma treats sciatica with a stepwise approach — accurate diagnosis first, conservative care when appropriate, and surgical decompression (most often microsurgical discectomy) only when the pattern and the imaging both point to it.
Common symptoms
- Sharp or burning pain traveling from the lower back into the buttock and down one leg
- Numbness or tingling along the back of the leg or in the foot
- Weakness in lifting the foot (foot drop) or pushing off with the toes
- Pain that improves when leaning forward or lying with knees bent
When to see a doctor
- Leg weakness that is new or worsening (foot drop, difficulty walking)
- Numbness in the groin or around the rectum, or loss of bladder/bowel control
- Severe pain that has not improved after several weeks of rest and medication
- Pain that follows an injury or a fall
What to expect at your visit
- A clear answer on whether the pattern fits sciatica or a different nerve issue
- Targeted exam maneuvers and a review of any prior imaging
- A stepwise plan — not a one-size-fits-all recommendation
- Referral to physiotherapy or a targeted injection when these are the right next step
Book your consultation
Book an appointment with Dr. Zuhair at Vetro Medical Center, Al-Khalidi Street, Amman.