Sciatica (/saɪˈaetɪkə/), saɪˈætɪkə also known as sciatic, neuritis sciatic, neuralgia or lumbar, radiculopathy is when pain is felt going down the leg from the. Back this pain may go down the, back, outside or front of the. Leg, typically symptoms are only on one side of the. bodyciatica can also be caused by tumours impinging on the spinal cord or the nerve roots. Severe back pain extending to the hips and feet, loss of bladder or bowel control, or muscle weakness may result from spinal tumours or cauda equina syndrome.