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Sciatica

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Sciatica is a condition in which the sciatica nerve running from the lower back down to the feet feels irritated or compressed. The patient experiences pain in the path of the sciatica. It mostly occurs when a herniated disc or an outgrown bone puts pressure on any part of the L5 or S1 nerve roots in the spinal canal leading to inflammation, numbness, and pain in some areas of the leg. Sometimes it can be due to compression of the sciatic nerve in the pelvic region when it passes under a muscle called pyriformis.
The sciatica nerve pain may vary from a mild ache to a strong burning pain and can feel like a jolt or an electric shock. It gets worse on coughing, sneezing or sitting for a very long time.

Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica happens when there is pressure on the static nerve or Lumbar nerve roots. The causes of this condition are-
  • Slipped disc- The most common cause of Sciatica is the slipped disc in which a Nucleus of the disc herniates out and compresses the nerve roots
  • Spinal stenosis- It is the condition in which the whole spinal canal is narrowed at the lumbar region compressing the nerve roots.
  • Spondylolisthesis- It is the condition in which one of the bones in the spine slips narrowing the exit for the nerve root at that spinal level.
  • A spinal tumor is a rare cause of sciatica

Risk factors of the Sciatica

Some of the risk factors involved with Sciatica are mentioned below-
  • Age- Age-related changes in the spine such as herniated discs and bone spurs leads to compression of the sciatic nerve
  • Obesity- Being overweight increases the pressure on the spine nerves.
  • Occupation- A job which includes twisting, carrying heavy weights, or driving for a long period.
  • Prolonged sitting- People who sit for too long without much moving 

Symptoms of Sciatica

  • Increased shooting sciatica nerve pain
  • Paresthesia in the affected leg
  • Loss of muscular strength in the affected leg leading to muscular weakness
  • Loss of bowel or/and bladder functionality

Prevention of Sciatica

  • Exercise regularly- To keep your back strong, work on your back muscles.
  • Keep good posture while sitting- Choose a seat with good lower back support and place a pillow to enhance your back support with a proper knee and hip position.
  • Use your body correctly- While standing for a long period, make sure to rest your one foot on a high-raised surface from time to time.

Treatment of the Sciatica

Most of the cases of sciatica can be treated with medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, pregabalin, etc. and physiotherapy after consulting an experienced surgeon for sciatica for immediate relief for sciatica nerve pain.

If the sciatica nerve pain is severe not responding to the medications or if there is weakness of the legs or loss of bladder control, you may be offered sciatica spine surgery.

If you have been advised sciatica surgery, then consult a neurosurgeon to get a second opinion  on your condition and required sciatica pain treatment.

Dr. Arun Rajeswaran

Consult Dr. Arun with a professional experience of more than 13 years in the field of Neurosurgery

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