Sciatica is a symptom of a problem in the lower back that has spread into the leg. Normally, the sciatic nerve runs through your butt and down your leg to your toes. But if it gets pinched, usually because of degeneration in the spine, you can get pain shooting down your leg

The typical symptoms of sciatica are pain that shoots down the back of one or both legs, tingling or numbness in one or both legs, and difficulty walking.