Sciatic Nerve Pain, more commonly known as Sciatica, refers to pain that originates in the lower back and radiates down the leg through the buttocks. Sciatica is a complex nerve pain disorder that requires proper diagnosis and treatment. For effective recovery, it is important to notice the early symptoms on time. When the pain and symptoms become worse, the treatments become ineffective.
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What is the Sciatic Nerve?
Sciatica nerve pain initiates through the sciatic nerve disorder in the lower back. It is the largest and longest nerve. Moreover, it originates from the sacral plexus (lower back nerves network). It comprises the smaller nerves that distribute from the main nerve. These small nerves, known as “tibial” and “peroneal” nerves, are vital for sensory and motor functions in the lower part of the body. These enable sensations and movement in calves, ankles, toes, knees, and feet.
Understanding Sciatica
There are several reasons why sciatica can occur. These include spine bone spurs, spinal stenosis, or a herniated disk. It leads to pain, numbness, and inflammation in one side of the body, typically the affected leg. It is possible to receive non-operative treatments for sciatica cases. However, the pain is usually severe, and as not every individual has the same pain threshold, pain physicians may recommend surgery to improve bladder, bowel, and leg changes or weakness.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Pain)?
Sciatica is a rare symptom that depicts problems in your lower back and spinal cord structure. In case you are experiencing lower back pain, and the pain keeps increasing in intensity, you should consult a pain physician.
As mentioned, sciatica pain occurs due to sciatic nerve damage. However, there are other symptoms for this condition that include:
- Numbness in the feet or legs
- Loss of feeling and/or movement in legs or below thighs
- Painful burning or tingling sensation in your feet and toes
- Worsening pain due to movement
- Incontinence
- Bowel Changes/Disorders
What are the Causes of Sciatica?
There are multiple sciatica nerve pain causes that include damage and injuries to your spine and lower back. Sciatic nerve tumors, permanent falling injuries, spinal breaks, etc., are the most prominent causes of sciatica. Despite that, most cases of sciatica are due to herniated disk.
Disks comprise cartilage which is a resilient and strong material acting as a cushion between your vertebrae. It helps the flexibility of your spine and hence lets you move freely. When the herniated disk moves out of place due to any reason, for example, due to falling, it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, which leads to compression. This can cause sciatica nerve pain and other symptoms. Some prominent causes of sciatica include:
- Spine Injury
- Spine Infection
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Spine Tumors
What are the Treatment Options for Sciatic Nerve Pain?
It is advisable that you seek the best pain physician who has experience in treating sciatica nerve pain conditions. Besides, knowing the cause will determine which treatment is best for you. Here are some of the treatment approaches that pain doctors and surgeons take.
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OTC Medication
OTC medications can help with inflammation and offer short-term pain relief. This is beneficial for those who are suffering from constant pain and tingling (or any other) pain sensations. You should consult your pain physician regarding the OTC medication that you take up.
Surgery
Surgical intervention is necessary when the swelling, inflammation, and pain are intolerable. It can affect the lifestyle and make your day-to-day activities troublesome. Once you lose control over your bladder or bowel and develop severe weaknesses in muscle groups around your lower parts, your doctor may suggest that you undergo surgery.
Microdiscectomy and Discectomy are the major types of surgeries that help with a herniated disk. It helps to remove the compression over the sciatic nerve and prevents pain. Your surgeon may remove the disk after making minor incisions (Microdiscectomy). Furthermore, your surgeon may only remove the disk’s part compressing the sciatic nerve (Discectomy).
Other forms of treatments and remedial solutions include:
- Epidural Steroid Medication
- Physical Therapies
- Regular Exercise
Sciatic Nerve Pain: Conclusion
Do you struggle with sciatic nerve pain? Getting in touch with a pain physician and professional likeMatthew Grimm MD can help. Experience in pain management and treatment has helped Dr. Grimm find the best treatment options for every patient.
Matthew Grimm MD offers individualized attention to every patient. He provides the best plan to meet the medical needs and requirements of each patient according to their current condition.
Call us at 646-862-5555 for an appointment. Remember, early identification is key to a speedy recovery and also helps prevent other problems. Find more information on our official website Spine New York City.
References
https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/what-is-sciatica
https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/sciatica/sciatica-causes
https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/sciatic-nerve-and-sciatica
https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/sciatica
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