Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnoses, and Treatments
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, which begins at the spinal cord and branches out to the hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet. This condition arises when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, causing discomfort in the lower back, buttocks, and legs.
At InfiniHealth Medical Group, we provide expert care for sciatica to help patients achieve pain relief and improve their quality of life.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica symptoms often affect one side of the body and include:
- Sharp, shooting pain
- Burning sensations
- Muscle weakness
- Tightness or cramping
- Tingling or numbness in the legs or feet
Severe cases, such as those caused by spinal stenosis, may result in symptoms on both sides of the body.
What Causes Sciatica?
Several conditions in the lower back can compress or irritate the sciatic nerve, including:
- Herniated Disc: A bulging disc can press against the sciatic nerve, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs.
- Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal, often seen in older adults, can compress the nerves, leading to leg pain when standing or walking.
- Spondylolisthesis: When a vertebra in the lower back slips forward over another, it can pinch the sciatic nerve.
- Trauma: Accidents, sports injuries, or other traumatic events can lead to nerve compression and sciatica.
Diagnosing Sciatica
Diagnosing sciatica involves a comprehensive process:
- Medical History Review: A detailed examination of past conditions and treatments.
- Physical Examination: Tests to identify muscle weakness, nerve compression, and spinal cord damage.
- Imaging Tests: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to visualize spinal abnormalities and pinpoint the source of nerve compression.
At InfiniHealth Medical Group, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to ensure accurate identification of the cause of your sciatica.
Don’t let sciatica stenosis limit your life. Contact InfiniHealth Medical Group today
to schedule a consultation and begin your journey to a pain-free life.
Treatment Options for Sciatica
Our specialists focus on conservative, non-surgical methods before considering minimally invasive procedures or surgery.
Non-Operative Sciatica Treatments
- Cold and Heat Therapy: Alternating cold and hot compresses on the affected area to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and, in severe cases, narcotic pain relievers.
- Epidural Steroid Injections: To alleviate inflammation and pain, providing temporary relief to allow for physical therapy.
- Chiropractic and Physical Therapy: To improve spinal alignment and reduce sciatic nerve compression.
When conservative treatments fail, we offer the following advanced procedures:
Treatment Options for Sciatica
Minimally Invasive Treatment Options
- Endoscopic Discectomy: A minimally invasive surgery to remove herniated disc material compressing the nerve. Through a tiny incision, our specialists use a high-definition camera to precisely target the issue while preserving spinal mobility.
- Endoscopic Foraminalplasty: This technique decompresses the nerve exit points, alleviating nerve pressure and pain. Patients typically return to normal activities within days.
- Endoscopic Laminotomy: For patients with spinal stenosis, this outpatient procedure creates openings in the lamina to relieve nerve compression.
- Vertiflex Procedure: A spacer is implanted between the vertebrae to hold them apart, reducing nerve pressure. This option is ideal for patients who have not found relief through non-surgical treatments.
How to Permanently Alleviate Sciatica
The first step to permanent relief is identifying and addressing the root cause of your sciatica. With accurate diagnosis and a customized treatment plan from InfiniHealth Medical Group, you can achieve lasting relief. Our minimally invasive procedures boast a 90% success rate for treating sciatica caused by bulging discs or pinched nerves.
Alleviate Your Pain, Regain Your Freedom
At InfiniHealth Medical Group, our experienced specialists are dedicated to providing top-tier care for sciatica.
Start your journey to a pain-free life by scheduling a consultation today. Contact us online or call our office to book your appointment.