Sciatica

Symptoms

Discomfort can vary from mild to sharp to severe in the lower parts of the body including your back, hip, and buttocks. Other common symptoms include the sensation of being numb or having pins and needles in the legs. You may also experience a burning sensation, foot numbness, limping, muscle weakness, or overall lower body weakness.

Diagnosis

An X-ray of your lower (lumbar) spine is the first step in diagnosing what is causing the symptoms of sciatica. The X-ray determines if there is a problem associated with inappropriate movement of your bones or their alignment. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), a more sophisticated X-ray technology, is sometimes used in conjunction with X-rays to provide a better picture of the soft tissues of your spine.

Reviewing the X-ray and MRI together will assist us in determining what’s causing the pain which could be a disc herniation, spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis.

In addition to X-rays, an MRI helps show the skeletal system and softer spinal structures to help diagnose issues causing sciatica.

Sciatica is very common

Irritation of the sciatic nerve is a not uncommon. In the United States alone, it is estimated to affect more than 3 million cases each year. Below is a chart with the estimated number of affected individuals broken down by age group.

Treatment

As with any condition, treatment is dependent on the severity of the nerve’s complications. Self care can include administering ice packs to the affected areas to decrease swelling and ease the pain. Approved stretch activities can increase elasticity and enhance your overall physical function. Chiropractic adjustment of your spinal column can also ease pain. Medications, including over-the-counter non-steroidal (Ibuprofen, Naproxen) or an analgesic (e.g. Tylenol, Anacin, etc.) medicines, can lessen the pain and reduce inflammation. If the pain extends beyond 6 – 12 weeks, an epidural steroid injection can be administered to reduce high levels of pain.

Patients typically diagnosis problems associated with the sciatic nerve. Troublesome pain is treatable by an orthopaedic physician, and symptoms subside in a matter of months. If you are doing everything you’re directed to do and your pain continues, an operation is an option. The surgery would depend on your specific diagnosis and the extent of the damage.

Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s team of highly-trained experts are experienced in treating Sciatica. Our medical professionals goal is to ease each patient’s suffering and, ultimately, improve the quality of your life. Our physicians, chiropractors and physical therapy teams work together to tailor your care to ensure this goal.

13 questions to ask your doctor about sciatica

1. What is sciatica?
2. What triggers sciatic nerve pain?
3. Does sciatica need surgery?
4. Is walking good for sciatica?
5. Why does sciatica get worse at night?
6. Should I use ice or heat to relieve pain.
7. Does sciatica go away on its own?
8. What can make sciatica worse?
9. Is sciatica surgery painful?
10. Does sciatica get worse before it gets better?
11. How should you sit with sciatica?
12. How long do sciatica attacks last?
13. Are massages good for sciatica?

Download our Sciatica Questionnaire