Sciatica

Sciatica Treatment in Kondapur, Hyderabad

Sciatica pain is experienced in the lower back of your body. It is caused due to inflammation, irritation, compression or pinching of a nerve in the lower back of your body.

Those with slipped or herniated disks are more prone to develop sciatica.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is nerve pain that is the result of irritation or injury to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back of the body.

It is the thickest and longest nerve in the body. Sciatica can cause mild or severe pain on the lower back of your body

What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

Symptoms of sciatica include:

• Mild or severe pain in the leg, lower back and down the leg
• Muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in the lower back, leg, buttock
• Loss of bladder or bowel control ( due to cauda equina)
• Loss of movement due to pain

What Are the Causes of Sciatica?

Herniated or slipped disk: A herniated or slipped disk puts pressure on a nerve root. If the herniated disk happens to vertebrae in the lower back of your body, it can exert pressure on the sciatic nerve leading to pain.

Spinal stenosis: This is the abnormal narrowing of your spinal canal. Narrowing of the spinal canal reduces the space for the nerves and the spinal cord.

Spondylolisthesis: This also causes lower back pain. A vertebra displaces itself onto the vertebrae below. It narrows down the opening through which the nerve exits. An extended spinal bone can trigger the sciatic nerve.

Osteoarthritis: Jagged edges of bone or bone spurs can compress your lower back nerves.

Trauma injury: Injuries to the sciatic nerve or lumbar spine can aggravate sciatica.

Tumours: Tumours in the lumbar spine can also cause compression on the sciatic nerve.

Piriformis syndrome: This is a condition when the piriformis muscle in the buttock becomes spasms or tight. This syndrome can irritate the sciatic nerve.

Cauda equine syndrome: This condition affects many nerves at the end of your spinal cord and causes pain down your leg.

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience severe pain and numbness in the lower back, leg weakness, bowel or sexual dysfunction, you need prompt medical attention.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Kondapur

Call 1860-500-2244 to book an appointment

What Are the Treatments for Sciatica?

If your pain gets severe, your doctor at Apollo Kondapur may recommend different treatments to heal the pain.

Medications: Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine can be prescribed to relieve the pain or discomfort. Anti-seizure medications and tricyclic antidepressants may be given to heal the pain.

Physical therapy: Exercises may be recommended by your doctor that can reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and improve muscle flexibility.

Spinal injections: Corticosteroid which is an anti-inflammatory medicine can be injected into the lower back to reduce the swelling and pain around the affected nerves.

Alternative therapies: This includes yoga, acupuncture or spine manipulation by a licensed chiropractor. These therapies are used to treat the pain and swelling of the affected area.

Surgery: Surgery is recommended when your pain is worsening and experience severe weakness in the lower back of your body, foot or buttock. Loss of bowel or bladder control may also require surgery. Surgical options include:

• Microdiscectomy- This is done to remove the fragments of the herniated disk that are putting pressure on the nerve.
• Laminectomy- This is done by removing the lamina (roof of the spinal canal) that is affecting the nerve.

Sciatica is common and faced by many people. Sometimes the pain can be sharp, burning, electric or stabbing.

Even though sciatica affects only one leg, it can affect both legs too. With proper treatment and care, sciatica gets better with time.