Sometimes chronic pain can have an obvious cause such as a broken bone, torn muscles or ligaments, osteo arthritis, or cancer tumours. However, chronic pain can happen anywhere in the body, and if it happens in the lower back area of the sciatic nerve, may result in chronic pain. Unfortunately, people with severe sciatica that is also associated with significant leg-weakness, might be candidates for surgery to help relieve the excruciating pain from the nerve damage.