Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain, tingling, or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. Branches of the sciatic nerve extend through the buttocks and down the back of each leg to the ankle and foot.

What causes sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc (herniated disc) in the spine pressing against the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. But sciatica also can be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, such as narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), bone spurs (small, bony growths that form along joints) caused by arthritis, or nerve root compression (pinched nerve) caused by injury.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of sciatica include pain that begins in your back or buttocks and moves down your leg and may move into your foot. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg may also occur.

• Sitting, standing for a long time, and movements that cause the spine to flex (such as knee-to-chest exercises) may make symptoms worse.
• Walking, lying down, and movements that extend the spine (such as shoulder lifts) may relieve symptoms.

How is sciatica diagnosed?
Sciatica is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam. Our specialists at The Minimally Invasive Spine Institute will ask you questions about your symptoms. In some cases just asking you these questions is enough to diagnose that you have sciatica, but X-rays and tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) & Pain Mapping are done to help find the exact cause of the sciatica.

How is it treated?
In some cases, sciatica will improve and go away with time. Initial treatment can focus on medicines and exercises to relieve pain. You can help relieve pain by:

• Avoiding sitting (unless it is more comfortable than standing).
• Alternating lying down with short walks. Increase your walking distance as you are able to without pain.
• Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
• Using a heating pad on a low or medium setting, or a warm shower, for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. There is not strong evidence that either heat or ice will help, but you can try them to see if they help you.

Additional treatment for sciatica depends on what is causing the nerve irritation. If your symptoms do not improve, we may suggest physical therapy, injections, or even surgery. Learn more about our minimally invasive procedures at zerospinepain.com.

Tags: bone spur, Chronic Pain, Herniated Disc, Laser Spine Surgery, Leg Pain, medical terms, pinched nerve, Sciatica, spinal stenosis