Sciatica

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Find out if you're a candidate for a minimally invasive alternative to open neck or back surgery

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Sciatica Definition

Sciatica is a set of symptoms that generally results from a person's sciatic nerve being compressed and inhibited from functioning properly. This pressure on the nerve can cause mild to debilitating symptoms that are experienced not only in the lower back where the sciatic nerve originates at the spine, but also throughout the lower body including in the buttocks, legs, and feet.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica symptoms can be so mild that they are barely noticeable or so severe that they keep a person from performing normal, daily activities. They usually include:

Pain
Burning
Tingling
Weakness
Muscle spasms
Numbness
Stiffness/inflexibility
More

Treatments for Sciatica

Successful treatment for sciatica depends on first identifying the cause of the nerve compression. For example, a case in which the sciatic nerve is being compressed by a bulging disc must be addressed differently than one that is caused by arthritis. In many cases, though, treatment plans begin with some combination of the following conservative techniques:

Over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines
Rest
Stretching
Spinal decompression
Exercise for weight loss
Strength training
Anti-inflammatories
Spinal cortisone shots
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Surgery for Sciatica

If all of these treatments fail and you continue to experience life-altering symptoms that reduce your quality of life, then your doctor may recommend surgery. This could mean a choice between open back surgery and a minimally invasive procedure. The latter of the two provides significant advantages including:

Shorter incision
Local anesthesia, not general
No hospital stay
Lower risk of infection
Faster recovery time
Higher success rate

To learn more about sciatica, its symptoms, and treatments, such as the endoscopic spine surgery performed at our facilities, contact Laser Spine Institute. Our doctors will review your MRI or CT scan free of charge and let you know if you quality for one of our procedures.

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