Sciatica Relief & Treatment Options
Expert Care for Nerve Compression
Sciatica causes radiating pain from your lower back down your leg. We specialize in diagnosing the root cause of sciatic nerve compression and providing targeted relief.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.
Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.
What Causes It?
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a herniated disk in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae. More rarely, the nerve can be compressed by a tumor or damaged by a disease such as diabetes.
Risk factors include:
- Age: Age-related changes in the spine, such as herniated disks and bone spurs, are the most common causes of sciatica.
- Obesity: By increasing the stress on your spine, excess body weight can contribute to the spinal changes that trigger sciatica.
- Occupation: A job that requires you to twist your back, carry heavy loads or drive a motor vehicle for long periods might play a role in sciatica.
- Prolonged sitting: People who sit for prolonged periods or have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than active people are.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
During the physical exam, your doctor may check your muscle strength and reflexes. For example, you may be asked to walk on your toes or heels, rise from a squatting position and, while lying on your back, lift your legs one at a time. Pain that results from sciatica will usually worsen during these activities.
Imaging tests may include:
- X-ray: An X-ray of your spine may reveal an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) that may be pressing on a nerve.
- MRI: This procedure produces detailed images of bone and soft tissues such as herniated disks.
- CT scan: When a CT is used to image the spine, you may have a contrast dye injected into your spinal canal before the X-rays are taken (CT myelogram).
Treatment Options
Conservative Care
If your pain doesn't improve with self-care measures, some of the following treatments might help:
- Medications: Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, narcotics, tricyclic antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications.
- Physical therapy: Once your acute pain improves, your doctor or a physical therapist can design a rehabilitation program to help you prevent future injuries.
- Steroid injections: In some cases, your doctor might recommend injection of a corticosteroid medication into the area around the involved nerve root.
Surgical & Minimally Invasive Options
This option is usually reserved for when the compressed nerve causes significant weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or when you have pain that progressively worsens or doesn't improve with other therapies.
Surgical options include:
- Microdiscectomy to remove the portion of a herniated disc pressing on the nerve.
- Laminectomy to create more space in the spinal canal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Dr. Bidiwala?
- Board-Certified Neurosurgeon
- Minimally Invasive Specialist
- 20+ Years Experience
- 15-year D Magazine Best Doctor
Common Symptoms
- Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg
- Discomfort anywhere along the nerve pathway
- Pain that varies widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating pain
- Numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot
When to See a Specialist
Get immediate medical care if:
- You have sudden, severe pain in your lower back or leg and numbness or muscle weakness in your leg
- The pain follows a violent injury, such as a traffic accident
- You have trouble controlling your bowels or bladder
Ready to Find Relief?
Don't let spine pain control your life. Schedule a consultation to explore personalized treatment options tailored to your specific condition.