Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica pain can be especially painful and bothersome. Approximately 40% of individuals experience sciatica, and only 30% of those suffering from sciatica seek medical care only after experiencing the painful symptoms of sciatica for a year or more. Furthermore, these statistics also apply for people suffering from sciatica in Boca Raton.

Sciatica starts with a problem with the sciatic nerve in the spine. This pain, which is caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve, starts in the buttocks or lower back and radiates down one or both legs.

Nerve compression is the most common cause of sciatic pain, and, fortunately, our spine specialists can provide a successful sciatica pain treatment in Boca Raton to help you feel the relief you need. Almost 90% of affected people recover from sciatica without surgery.

Sciatic nerve pain, sciatic neuropathy or Sciatica is not a medical diagnosis, but a symptom of an underlying spine problem. Therefore, to administer an effective treatment plan, the root cause must be identified.  Some common lower back problems that can originate sciatica include degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar herniated disc and spondylolisthesis.

Sciatica Symptoms

The most common symptoms of sciatica include:

• Low back pain that radiates down the leg
• Continual pain on one side of the buttock
• Leg pain with burning and tingling
• Numbness in the leg or feet
• Sharp pain
• Trouble sitting and getting up

Causes of Sciatica

The most common spinal conditions and problems that can cause sciatica include:

• Herniated disk
• Spinal stenosis
• Spinal Tumors
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Injury or Infection

Sciatica Diagnosis

For proper diagnosis, your doctor will ask you how the pain started and where exactly it is located. Then, he/she will check your muscle strength and reflexes. You may be asked to squat, walk on your heels or toes, or lift your legs one at a time since sciatica pain usually worsens during these activities.

Your doctor may also order imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRI or CT Scan.

• X-rays can help identify bony abnormalities or overgrowth that may be pressing on a nerve.
• An MRI can show the alignment of vertebral disks, ligaments, and muscles. It is very helpful to determine herniated disks.
• A CT scan using contrast dye can also provide a useful picture of the spinal cord and nerves.

Sciatica Treatment in Boca Raton

In most cases, sciatica should improve after a couple of weeks with home-care such as ice and heat therapy, stretching exercises and over-the-counter medication.  If the pain doesn’t improve, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, narcotics, antidepressants.  Your doctor or physical therapist (or both) may also design a plan to prevent future injuries.

Your doctor might also recommend a steroid injection into the spine area to reduce inflammation. Several patients experience fast relief since the medication is injected directly to the area around the sciatic nerve.

If the symptoms don’t respond to conservative treatment and the cause of the sciatica is a bone spur or herniated disk; then your doctor may recommend surgery. The most common minimally invasive procedures are Discectomy which is the partial or entire removal of a herniated disk, and lumbar laminectomy which widens the spinal canal to reduce pressure on the nerves.

For consultations or inquiries about your sciatica treatment options in our Boca Raton office, call us 24/7 at 561-549-9090.