Sciatica Causes Can Vary from Patient to Patient

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Sciatica Causes Can Vary from Patient to Patient

Sciatica is the term used to describe the pain associated with a compressed sciatic nerve. Because the nerve runs from the lower back where it leaves the spine down to the toes, sciatica can be felt all the way to the soles of the feet. At its worst, the pain can be debilitating, making it difficult for sufferers to stand or walk for any period of time. Fortunately, doctors have narrowed down several sciatica causes, which helps in treating the painful condition.

A large majority of sciatica cases are caused by herniated discs. Discs are the soft cushions that pad and separate the spine’s vertebrae, and sometimes injury or regular wear and tear can force the discs’ soft filling through the outer membrane and into the spinal canal, cramping the sciatic nerve. Occasionally other causes lead to sciatica. For example, spondylolisthesis, when one vertebra comes loose and presses onto an adjacent vertebra compressing the sciatic nerve in the process, can cause sciatica. If a disc, ligament or swollen joint forces into the spinal canal reducing the room available for nerves, it’s called stenosis and that can cause sciatica as well. Traumatic lumbar injuries and growths like tumors are also possible sciatica causes.

Regardless of the cause, there are several ways to treat sciatica including:

Over-the-counter medications
Special exercises and stretches
Traction
Physical therapy
Steroid epidural injections

Your doctor will likely try several of these treatments in progressive order or in combination to ease your pain with the least intrusive method. If none of these offer relief, your doctor may recommend surgery. If that occurs, you’ll want to consider endoscopic back surgery from Laser Spine Institute. It is a minimally invasive procedure to treat a variety of sciatica causes.

If you’d like more information on sciatica causes or our procedures, contact LSI today. We’ll review your MRI or CT scan for free.

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