Sciatica

Sciatica is a very common reason that we see patients in the office. This refers to pain in the leg caused by a pinched nerve.

Common Causes of Sciatica

Common causes of sciatica include disc herniations in the low back, spinal stenosis (which describes generalized narrowing of the spinal canal), and spondylolisthesis (which indicates instability of the spine).

The majority of time people with sciatica do get better with conservative measures within a few weeks or a few months.

The pain often can vary in severity and intensity and can also be intermittent.

Sciatica Treatment

Non-Surgical Pain Relief Methods

Non-surgical methods that we use to relieve the pain of sciatica include medications, oftentimes oral steroids are prescribed for a short time period, physical therapy and/or chiropractic treatment are commonly used. In addition, in patients, injections in the spinal canal called epidural steroid injections can lessen the inflammation around the nerve and provide pain relief.

In general, with sciatica, the pain will gradually improve on its own, and some numbness and tingling and even a little bit of weakness initially can be monitored and will improve.

Surgical Treatment

However, if patients continue to have severe pain, and/or significant weakness that is getting worse, then surgery is a good option to relieve patients of their pain and hopefully improve their weakness.