Sciatica is a common cause of pain. The painful sensation usually radiates from your lower back, through the buttocks, down the back legs, and along the sciatic nerve path. This condition is caused by irritation, inflammation, pinching or compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. In many individuals, sciatica occurs due to a slipped disc that applies pressure on the nerve root. IGEA Brain Spine & Orthopedics are experts at treating a wide variety of back conditions, including sciatica. The doctors and specialists utilize state-of-the-art technology to deliver innovative and personalized care. Visit an office in Union, Paramus, Totowa, Jersey City, Florham Park, Hazlet, Bedminster, or Manhattan today!
Sciatica pain is usually restricted to just one side of the body and may cause inflammation and numbness in the affected leg. It can be mild, moderate or severe depending on how severe the condition is. In most cases, physiotherapists and other qualified medical experts can treat the condition non-surgically. However, surgery may be recommended for people with severe sciatica that causes leg weakness or changes in the bladder.
Pain in the back is the most common symptom. People who lead sedentary lifestyles and poor ergonomics. This is the primary reason people ignore any pain in the lower back. Sciatica pain can be a mild ache to a sharp burning sensation or excessively excruciating pain. In some people, the pain may feel like a sudden jolt that can worsen when pressure is applied during sneezing or coughing.
Symptoms that are observed in sciatica patients include:
● Pain that radiates from the lower part of the spine to your buttock and down the back of the thigh, up to your calf
● Lower back pain
● Pain in the back of the leg that worsens when sitting
● Pain in the lower back and leg that is restricted to only one side of your body
● Hip pain
● Tingling or burning sensation in the leg (feeling of pins and needles on the legs, toes and feet)
● Numbness or weakness when you move your leg
● Constant pain in one buttock
● A sharp-shooting pain in the lower back or the back of the leg when you stand up
The sciatica pain can extend up to the toes on the affected side in some people. When sciatica pain is severe, it can even cause temporary disability to the individual
If you experience any of the following symptoms, along with sciatica pain, seek medical attention right away:
● Fever with back pain
● Swelling or redness on your back, along your spine
● Weakness or numbness in your thighs, pelvis or buttock
● Burning sensation when urinating
● Blood in urine
● Severe pain in the lower half of the body
● Loss of bladder control
Did you know around 10% to 40% of the world's population may be suffering from sciatica, making it a relatively common condition? This condition is primarily caused when the sciatic nerve gets pinched due to:
● Herniated disc or spine
● Overgrowth on the vertebrae
● Compression caused by a tumor
● Diseases like diabetes
● Not exercising regularly
● Wearing heels frequently
● Sleeping on a mattress that is too hard or too soft
Some factors can increase your risk of developing sciatica, and these include:
● Age: With increasing age, conditions like herniated discs or the development of bone spurs increase, which makes you susceptible to sciatica.
● Excess weight: In overweight and obese individuals, the extra body weight stresses the spine, leading to spinal changes and, subsequently, sciatica.
● Occupation: Some people who work as drivers, dentists, surgeons, or carry a heavy load on their back expose their spine to various types of twists or odd postures for a prolonged time. This may make them prone to developing sciatica. However, this has not yet been proved.
● Long hours of sitting: People with sedentary lifestyles and who sit for long hours are at heightened risk of developing sciatica.
● Diabetes: Diabetes increases your risk for nerve damage, increasing your risk for sciatica.
If your doctor suspects you have sciatica after performing a thorough clinical evaluation and recording your medical and family history, they may recommend the following tests to confirm their diagnosis:
● Checking muscle strength and reflexes by asking you to walk on your toes or heels, squat and rise from that position, or lift your legs one at a time while lying on your back. If you have sciatica, your sciatica pain will worsen during these exercises.
● Imaging tests like x-rays (to spot any bony overgrowth compressing the nerve), CT scan (to check for the spinal cord and spinal nerves), an MRI (to check for herniated discs) or electromyography to test for nerve impulses and muscle responses to confirm herniated disc or narrowing of the spinal cord.
If you suffer from sciatica, your doctor will evaluate your signs, the length of your symptoms and other diagnostic test results to determine the severity of your sciatica. This will help the expert prescribe the most appropriate therapies for your sciatica.
While mild sciatica usually resolves by itself with some rest and light exercises, standard treatment options for the condition
include:
Medications for sciatica are prescribed to relieve the pain and inflammation experienced by the individual. Common drugs that are prescribed for sciatica include:
● Anti-inflammatory medicines
● Muscle relaxants
● Tricyclic depressant
● Anti-seizure medicines
Once your acute symptoms like pain and inflammation have reduced, you will require physical therapy from a professional. This involves exercises, posture correction, and strengthening back muscles and spine to improve flexibility.
In severe cases of sciatica, a corticosteroid injection may be given around the nerve root to reduce pain and lessen the irritation and inflammation around the sciatic nerve. The effects of this injection usually wear off in a few months. This treatment cannot be continued for a long time as it can give rise to side effects.
Surgery is by far the least used treatment option for sciatica is rare and will only be performed when other treatment options don’t work. Individuals in whom nerve compression has caused significant weakness and numbness in the leg, and loss of bowel or bladder control can benefit from surgery. It also works if the pain progressively increases or does not reduce with other therapies. The bone spur or herniated disc pinching the nerve during surgery is removed.
In most people, apart from professional therapy, self-care measures performed at home assist in providing relief from sciatica pain. Some easily accessible treatments include:
● Application of Cold Pack: In the early stages of sciatica, you may get relief from pain by applying a cold pack to the affected area for around 20 minutes, several times a day.
● Application of Heat Packs: Your doctor may recommend alternating between hot and cold packs to relieve your sciatica pain.
● Stretching Exercises: Gently stretching exercises or practicing yoga can be highly beneficial for your sciatica and, in many cases, can also relieve the nerve compression. Avoid activities that involve sudden jerks, bouncing, or twisting. While performing stretching exercises, try to hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.
Not getting timely treatment for sciatica can result in complications such as:
● Severe, long-lasting pain
● Chronic muscle weakness like a drop foot
● Numbness in the foot making it difficult or impossible to walk
Sciatica is a preventable condition. Maintaining good posture, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening your back with suitable activities are some of the best ways to keep this condition at bay.
Patients in both New Jersey and New York no longer need to live with unaddressed back pain. The experienced and dedicated team of specialists at IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics provides patients with qualified diagnosis and treatment options to help relieve and manage their condition. If you have been diagnosed with sciatica, it's vital to understand that it is manageable with proper professional intervention. IGEA Brian Spine and Orthopedics! Book your consultation with us today!