What are we talking about?

Sciatica is introduced by clarifying several commonly confused terms and showing how different types of spine-related leg pain are not the same. The main distinction is between referred pain, radicular pain, and radiculopathy. Referred pain comes from deep spinal structures such as discs, joints, ligaments, or muscles, and is usually described as diffuse, aching, and more noticeable closer to the back than farther down the leg. The explanation then shifts to radicular pain, which comes specifically from an irritated nerve root. Learners can expect a clearer understanding of why this pain is often sharp, severe, well localized, and sometimes worse lower down the leg. Radiculopathy is separated from pain altogether and defined as loss of strength or sensation caused by nerve root damage, often producing numbness or weakness such as foot drop. Lower lumbar anatomy is used to explain how disc herniations can affect nearby nerve roots and why symptoms develop. The term sciatica is presented as a familiar but imprecise label, with more specific clinical terms recommended for accurate communication.