Do I Have Sciatica Quiz
Questions: 15 · 10 minutes
1. Which context best matches how the back or leg symptoms began?
There was no injury, fever, or serious illness around the onset.
Symptoms followed routine lifting, exercise, or an awkward movement without a major fall.
Symptoms followed a moderate fall or occurred with a condition that makes fractures more likely.
Symptoms followed a major fall or collision, or occur with fever and feeling seriously unwell.
2. Over the last several days, how have sensation or strength changes developed?
I have not noticed a change in sensation or strength.
A brief change occurs with certain positions and fully settles afterward.
A change has remained present but has not clearly progressed.
Weakness or numbness is worsening quickly or spreading to new areas.
3. Which description most closely matches the discomfort during a flare?
I do not experience this kind of discomfort.
A localized dull ache or stiffness in my lower back.
A deep ache or cramping sensation around my buttock and thigh.
A burning, electric, or shooting sensation that runs along my leg.
4. After sitting in one position for a while, which experience is most typical?
I can get up without back or leg symptoms.
My lower back feels locally stiff, then loosens as I move.
Discomfort develops around my buttock or upper leg.
Pain or burning travels farther down my leg when I sit or stand up.
5. Think about a recent symptomatic day. Which movement pattern fits best?
Walking, bending, and changing position did not bring on back or leg symptoms.
Movement changed a localized back ache without affecting my leg.
Certain movements brought discomfort into my buttock or thigh.
A particular movement repeatedly sent a narrow line of pain down my leg.
6. How would you describe any reduced sensation in your leg or foot?
Sensation feels normal on both sides.
A small area sometimes feels different but returns to normal after I move.
One area of my leg or foot feels persistently less sensitive than the other side.
Numbness is spreading, becoming more pronounced, or affecting much of one leg or foot.
7. When you rise onto your toes or rock back onto your heels near a stable support, what happens?
Both sides feel equally controlled and strong.
Pain limits the movement slightly, but I can control both feet.
One side feels noticeably weaker, although I can still complete the movement.
I cannot lift the front of one foot or rise normally on one side because of new weakness.
8. Since the back or leg symptoms began, what change have you noticed in urination?
There has been no new change in starting, sensing, or controlling urination.
I am going more often but can sense and control my bladder normally.
It has become newly difficult to start or fully empty my bladder, although I can still urinate.
I cannot urinate despite needing to, cannot sense bladder fullness, or have newly lost bladder control.
9. Have you developed altered sensation in the area that would touch a bicycle saddle?
No; sensation around my groin, genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks feels normal.
I have tingling on the outer buttock only, without groin or inner-thigh changes.
I have a new unusual sensation near my inner thigh, while groin sensation remains intact.
I have new numbness or markedly reduced sensation around my groin, genitals, inner thighs, or sitting area.
10. Where does your pain or discomfort usually travel?
I do not currently have back, buttock, or leg pain.
It stays mainly in the center of my lower back.
It reaches my buttock or the upper part of my thigh.
It follows a path from my lower back or buttock down one leg, often below the knee.
11. Since these symptoms started, which statement best describes bowel control?
There has been no new change in bowel sensation or control.
My usual bowel timing has changed, but sensation and control remain normal.
I have newly reduced awareness of needing a bowel movement but have retained control.
I have newly lost bowel control or cannot feel a bowel movement happening.
12. When you cough, sneeze, or strain, what usually happens to the back or leg discomfort?
I have no relevant discomfort to trigger.
My local back discomfort stays about the same.
I notice a temporary increase around my back or buttock.
It reproduces or sharply increases pain that travels down my leg.
13. How are your legs affected at the same time?
Neither leg has new radiating pain, numbness, or weakness.
Symptoms are limited to one leg without weakness.
Pain or tingling now affects both legs, but I can still move them normally.
Both legs have new numbness or weakness, or I am having sudden difficulty standing or walking.
14. While walking across a room, which observation best matches your experience?
My steps and foot control feel normal.
I shorten my stride because of discomfort, but my foot remains controlled.
One foot occasionally catches or slaps down more than usual.
New weakness makes my foot drag, buckle, or repeatedly catch.
15. What kind of tingling, if any, do you notice in the affected area?
I have not noticed tingling in my buttock, leg, or foot.
I occasionally get brief, scattered pins and needles after staying in one position.
Tingling repeatedly appears in a consistent part of my buttock or leg.
Tingling follows a clear path down my leg into my foot or toes.