Phone: 817-697-4038 Fax: 877-409-3962

SCIATICA

If you suffer from low back pain, burning or tingling sensation, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.

 

What is Sciatica?

The word “Sciatica” comes from the name for the sciatic nerve, a long nerve that extends from the hip down behind the buttock and into the legs and feet. Adding pressure to the sciatic nerve interferes with nerve conduction and causes the radiating pain known as Sciatica. 

Sciatica usually occurs between the ages of 30 to 50, and most likely occurs as the result of a separate condition:

  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Spondylolisthesis 
  • Arthritis 
  • Pregnancy

What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

Weakness and numbness in the leg and foot, Pain in the buttocks or leg that worsens with sitting, hip and lower back pain, and a burning or tingling sensation that runs down the leg. Sciatica typically only affects one side of the body, starting in the lower back and traveling down one leg into the calf or toes. Pain tends to increase when coughing, sitting, and sneezing. In severe cases, patients may start to lose muscle strength. If this occurs, patients should call a Spinal Specialist immediately to rule out a more severe condition.  In most cases, Sciatica resolves with non-surgical treatment while only sometimes requiring surgery.  Regardless, patients should seek treatment immediately if they experience Sciatica symptoms, as nerves may end up sustaining permanent damage if compressed for an extended time.

What are the causes of sciatica?

Pinched nerves can cause sciatica. Sciatica often occurs after a herniated disc injury or overgrowth of bone. These conditions tend to put pressure on a part of a nerve, leading to inflammation, pain, and sometimes numbness in the affected area. Rarely. a tumor can put pressure on the nerve or a disease such as diabetes can damage the nerve.

What are the risk factors of sciatica?

  • Age- Changes to the spine most often happen in people over the age of 40.
  • Obesity-Being overweight puts pressure on the spine.
  • Occupation-Physical labor-intensive jobs that require one to lift heavy objects and twist put a person more at risk. Jobs that require driving a vehicle for long periods of time can also contribute to sciatica.
  • Prolonged sitting
  • Diabetes- This disease affects how the body uses blood sugar and increases nerve damage risk

What are the treatments for sciatica?

Most people fully recover from sciatica without any treatment, however, sciatica sometimes causes permanent nerve damage. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a loss of feeling or weakness in the affected leg and/or loss of bladder control.

Mild sciatica mostly goes away with time.  If the pain lasts longer than a week after utilizing at-home treatment, call your healthcare provider.

Medications

The types of drugs that might be used to treat sciatica pain include:

  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Corticosteroids
  • Antidepressants
  • Anti-seizure medications
  • Opioids

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients with medical problems or injuries that limit their ability to participate in their daily lives. Patients will usually see a physical therapist after a referral by their primary physician. Physical therapists work with patients who have experienced an injury or disease that has affected their movement and range of motion.

At Nextgen Pain & Injury Clinic, our team of licensed physical therapists and rehabilitation experts will focus on your total health and wellness. Regardless of the cause or source of your pain, we will develop a treatment plan with your unique issues in mind.

Our treatment philosophy emphasizes evidence-based manual and therapeutic exercise techniques that are tailored toward efficiently returning patients, athletes, and employees to their pre-injury status. We treat orthopedic and sports injuries, provide spinal rehabilitation, post-surgical rehabilitation, and industrial rehabilitation. Personalized physical therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions.

  • Chronic and acute medical problems
  • Knee pain
  • Back pain
  • Leg Pain
  • Ankle pain
  • Sports injuries
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Chronic medical problems
  • Neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries

Steroid injections

An anti-inflammatory medicine — a steroid or corticosteroid — into the area around the nerve root that’s causing pain. One injection helps reduce pain, however, up to three can be given in one year.

Steroid injections are also used to treat a number of other conditions.

Surgery

Surgical removal of the bone spur or the portion of the herniated disc that’s pressing on the nerve can be very helpful. In the case of sciatica, surgery will only happen if the condition causes severe weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or pain that doesn’t improve with other treatments. Surgery should be the last option and only used when necessary.

If you would like to speak to one of our  Orthopedic  spine Specialist, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.