About sciatic nerve groin pain

Sciatic nerve pain, also called sciatica, is characterised as a shooting pain down the legs, buttocks and groin. Sciatic nerve pain is caused by the sciatic nerve, which runs down the spine and legs. Groin pain can also be caused by muscle strain and is more common in men than women. Treatment for sciatic nerve groin pain includes rest, pain medication and in some instances, physical therapy.

The term sciatica refers to shooting pain that runs down the back of the legs or tingling in the legs. It is caused from irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is not a medical condition, but a symptom of other medical conditions such as a herniated disk.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It runs from the spinal cord down to the hips and buttocks and then continues down each leg. Pain in the neck, back, groin or legs is often attributed to irritation or injury to the sciatic nerve, according to Dr. Victor Dolan.

Groin pain describes discomfort where the legs and abdomen meet. In males, the term "groin pain" can also refer to testicular pain. Men are more likely to have groin pain than women. Men who play sports such as soccer or football are likely to experience groin pain at some time or another.

In addition to muscle strain and sciatica, there are a number of other causes for groin pain. For example, kidney stones, hernias, tumours, inflammation or pinched nerves are common causes of groin pain. Treatment includes rest, pain medication and in some instances, therapy.

Contact your doctor to schedule an appointment if the pain is the result of a recent injury. Seek immediate, emergency medical attention if you are male and the pain affects one testicle for more than three hours or you have blood in your urine.