Sciatica - What Is It?

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Sciatica is not a condition but rather a term used to describe a combination of symptoms that manifest themselves in the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet. Usually, sciatica is only felt on one side of the body, although it is not unheard of for an afflicted person to experience it in both. The symptoms that make up sciatica can include pain, tingling, numbness, loss of muscle control or difficulty moving the leg, muscle spasms, and much more. Each person may experience these symptoms in different combinations and at varying intensities.

Sciatica - What Causes It?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve - located in the lumbar spine - is compressed. However, this irritation can be caused by a number of different conditions, and it can even be a result of a combination of issues. These conditions can include:

Bulging disc
Herniated disc
Bone spurs
Arthritis of the spine
Injury such as a fracture in the pelvis or spine
Diabetes and other whole-body diseases
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Sciatica - How Is It Treated?

Sciatica treatments differ depending on the cause of the condition, but generally speaking, they all aim to relieve the irritation to the nerve root. For example, in the case of a bulging disc pressing on the sciatic nerve, treatment would most likely begin with rest in the hopes that the disc will heal and cease pressing upon the nerve root. Other conservative treatments for sciatica include:

Spinal decompression
Exercise
Stretching
Physical therapy

In the case of chronic conditions, the goal of treatment is to make the symptoms manageable for the patient so he or she can live a happy life. For some people, however, conservative treatment cannot relieve the irritation or the symptoms resulting from it, and they find that they cannot live a fulfilling life with sciatica. For this minority, surgery is the final option and there are two types available. Open back surgery is the most common option, but an endoscopic procedure offers significant advantages including a shorter recovery time and fewer risks.

To learn more about sciatica, and the treatments for it including minimally invasive procedures, contact Laser Spine Institute. One of our doctors will be glad to review your MRI or CT scan free of charge and let you know if you qualify for one of our endoscopic procedures for sciatica.

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