Sciatica

Causes of Sciatica

• Herniated Disc: When the soft inner material of a disc in the spine protrudes and presses on the sciatic nerve.
• Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on the nerve.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: Wear and tear on the discs between vertebrae.
• Spondylolisthesis: Displacement of a vertebra, causing nerve compression.
• Piriformis Syndrome: Irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle in the back.

Symptoms of Sciatica

• Sharp Pain: Radiating from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg.
• Numbness or Tingling: Along the sciatic nerve pathway, often extending to the foot.
• Weakness: Difficulty moving the leg or foot due to muscle weakness.
  Burning Sensation: In the affected leg.
• Worsening Pain: While sitting or standing for prolonged periods.
• Difficulty Walking: In severe cases, mobility may be impaired.

While most individuals fully recover from sciatica, there is a potential complication—chronic, long-term pain. In cases of severe nerve damage, chronic muscle weakness, like a “drop foot,” may occur, making normal walking challenging or impossible due to numbness. Additionally, sciatica has the potential to lead to permanent nerve damage, resulting in a loss of sensation in the affected legs. In severe cases, it could also lead to difficulty in urination and defecation.

Medications

• Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage pain and inflammation.
• Muscle Relaxants: Prescribed to alleviate muscle spasms.
  

Physical Therapy

• Specific exercises and stretches to improve flexibility and strengthen the back and core muscles.
• Manual therapy techniques, such as massage or spinal manipulation, may provide relief.

Injections

• Epidural Steroid Injections: Deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected nerve root, providing temporary relief.

• Microdiscectomy for Pain Relief – In most cases, surgically removing the offending herniated disc provides adequate decompression and dramatic improvement in symptoms. To achieve this, a small window is created in the bone overlying the nerve and the disc fragment is removed. This could be done by a conventional open approach or with the help of more recently with the help of an endoscope/microscope.
• Decompression with/without fusion: Some patients may require additional stabilization with screws and lumbar spinal fusion to address structural issues causing instability.

Synapse Spine in Mumbai provides specialized care and expertise to treat individuals, navigate the complexities of sciatica, and achieve optimal outcomes. If you’re experiencing symptoms of sciatica, don’t hesitate to seek evaluation and treatment from our qualified spine specialists to regain control of your health and well-being.