sciatica

American  

[sahy-at-i-kuh] / saɪˈæt ɪ kə /

noun

Pathology.

1. pain and tenderness at some points of the sciatic nerve, usually caused by a prolapsed intervertebral disk; sciatic neuralgia.

2. any painful disorder extending from the hip down the back of the thigh and surrounding area.

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sciatica British  

/ saɪˈætɪkə /

noun

1. a form of neuralgia characterized by intense pain and tenderness along the course of the body's longest nerve ( sciatic nerve ), extending from the back of the thigh down to the calf of the leg

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sciatica Cultural  

1. Chronic pain in the hip and upper leg caused by irritation of a large nerve — the sciatic nerve — that runs through the pelvis and down the back of the thigh.

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Etymology

Origin of sciatica

1400–50; < Medieval Latin, noun use of feminine of sciaticus sciatic

Example Sentences

Once indestructible, the greatest basketball player of his generation—a talent America has known since he was in high school—was suddenly sitting out games with ailments like sciatica and arthritis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

In the early hours of 20 January, he had a video consultation with an out-of-hours doctor, who diagnosed sciatica.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

James missed the opening 14 games of the season suffering from sciatica.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

LeBron James sat out the Lakers’ game against the San Antonio Spurs because of sciatica and left foot arthritis.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026

It was thought to hold promise for medicine, too: Edison marketed his inductorium, an induction coil, as a guaranteed cure for rheumatism, gout, nervous diseases, and sciatica.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover