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Sciatica is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that are the result of an inflamed or irritated sciatic nerve. This peripheral nerve stems from the lumbar spine and is responsible for transmitting signals to the lower back, buttocks, backs of the thighs, calves, and the bottoms of the feet.
Sciatica - Symptoms
When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, it can present symptoms in these areas that include:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Burning
- Muscle cramping
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Tingling or pins and needles
- More
Sciatica - Causes
Sciatica is not a condition itself but rather a set of symptoms indicative of a condition that is affecting the sciatic nerve. It can be caused by a number of conditions and can often be the result of a combination of issues. Some of the more common causes of sciatica include:
- Herniated or torn disc
- Bulging disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Bone spur
- Pelvic injury
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- More
Sciatica - Treatments
Most treatment regimens for sciatica begin conservatively and aim to relieve the irritation to the sciatic nerve, minimize symptoms while the person heals from the causing condition, or both. Most conservative treatments include one or more of the following:
- Rest
- Heat/ice compression therapy
- Prescription and over the counter painkillers
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Spinal cortisone injections
- Exercise
- Stretching
- Spinal decompression
- Physical therapy
- More
For more information on sciatica, and to discuss the treatment options available to you with a dedicated spine doctor, contact Laser Spine Institute. We’ll have one of our expert staff doctors review your MRI or CT scan free of charge and talk through all your options with you, as well as let you know if you’re eligible for one of our endoscopic spine procedures to treat sciatica.