What is Sciatica leg pain?

Sciatica is a painful symptom of many conditions that affect a patient's nerves or spine, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The symptom causes burning leg pain that can shoot down a person's leg from the buttocks.

Sciatica pain may develop gradually overtime, or it may come on suddenly, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The pain may also be associated with weakness, numbness or tingling in the affected leg or in the patient's toes. Sciatica can affect either leg, or it may affect both legs in some cases. It can be caused by a herniated or slipped disc, piriformis syndrome, spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis.