Sciatica

Sciatica is often limited to one side of the body. It often feels like a sharp, tingling pain, weakness or numbness. This sensation may start in your lower back and travel down one leg and into the sole of your foot. Pain may begin slowly and get worse while you move or during certain times of the day.

See your doctor if you experience any new, persistent or unexplained symptoms such as:

• Abnormal or weak reflexes
• Burning sensation
• Difficulty or weakness when walking, bending or other movement
• Loss of sensation or a feeling of numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Pain when lifting and straightening the leg
• Sharp or shooting pain
• Tingling or “pins and needles” sensation in the back or leg

Get immediate medical attention if you experience sudden numbness or weakness, pain after a severe injury or loss of bowel control.

Any of these symptoms may instead be caused by something other than sciatica. The only way to know what is causing a particular symptom is to see your doctor.

You know when something in your body feels “off.” If you’re suffering from chronic pain, don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable to see a doctor. Consulting your health care provider when symptoms begin or worsen can lead to an earlier diagnosis and better chances of treating the condition with nonsurgical or minimally invasive methods.

Treatment plans vary depending on the type and severity of symptoms. In some cases, minor sciatica heals on its own with time. Other cases require a more aggressive approach to treatment. Your health care team may use one or more of the following methods to treat and manage sciatica:

• Non-prescription (over-the-counter) medication – Your doctor may recommend you take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or aspirin for a short period of time to reduce mild pain or swelling.
• Ice/heat application – Apply ice to the painful area for the first 48-72 hours, then switch to heat.
• Prescription medication – Your doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid for inflammation or pain, or an antiseizure medication to reduce pain from damaged nerves.
• Physical therapy – Your doctor may suggest you work with a physical therapist for nonsurgical ways to reduce your pain and restore function. Rehabilitation therapies commonly used include core strengthening exercises to improve posture, stretching to improve range of motion and gentle massage.
• Injection-based treatment – One or more therapies may be performed by injection (administered with a needle) to address nerve pain and reduce inflammation, such as epidural steroid injections.
• Surgical procedure – In certain cases, surgery to remove the bone spur or the portion of a herniated disk pressing on the sciatic nerve may be necessary if standard treatments aren’t enough to relieve symptoms. Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques such as microdiscectomy, spinal fusion or laminectomy.

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We understand how difficult it can be to live with chronic back pain. Whether you need a precise diagnosis or a second opinion, we can help. Our specialists can pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and design a personalized treatment plan to restore your quality of life.