Sciatica

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition that causes pain to radiate along the path of your sciatic nerves which run from your lower back through your hips and buttocks down each leg. Sciatica pain typically affects one side of your body at a time and is often the result of a herniated disc, bone spur, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis). The disc puts pressure on your sciatic nerve causing inflammation and pain.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica symptoms most often include one or more of the following:

• Constant pain along one side of your hip, buttock, and leg
  
• Pain that gets worse when sitting
  
• Burning or tingling sensations in your leg
  
• A mild ache or a sharp, excruciating pain
  
• Numbness or muscle weakness in your leg or foot
  

What are the risk factors of sciatica?

The risk factors of sciatica include:

• Age-related changes to your spine are the most common risk factors.
  
• Extra weight and obesity add stress to your spine.
  
• A job that requires you to twist your back repeatedly or carry heavy objects may contribute to developing sciatica.
  
• Prolonged sitting and a sedentary lifestyle often lead to sciatica pain.
  
• Diabetes increases your risk of nerve damage, including your sciatic nerves.
  

How is sciatica diagnosed?

Dr. Boatwright and the Palmetto Spine and Pain Care Consultants team conduct a thorough examination and assessment of your symptoms so they can determine the specific, underlying causes of your sciatica pain. They perform an imaging assessment and review, including any previous imaging you may have had such as MRIs or X-rays. If necessary, Dr. Boatwright orders new or additional images.

How is sciatica treated?

After a thorough assessment of your symptoms and the underlying cause of your sciatica pain, Dr. Boatwright recommends several treatment options depending on the severity of your condition. If your pain is slight to moderate, he may first recommend physical therapy and exercises to ease painful symptoms.

If your condition worsens or doesn’t respond to noninvasive procedures, Dr. Boatwright and the team may recommend more interventional therapies like epidurals or spinal cord stimulation. In some cases, a combination of interventional treatments along with medication management can offer long-term relief. When other options no longer help relieve your pain, Dr. Boatwright performs a surgical assessment to see if that may be the best course of action.

Call or schedule a consultation online to learn about the many available treatment options for sciatica.