Sciatica
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the most common form of radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is the term used to describe symptoms that result from a pinched nerve.
In sciatica, the pinched nerve is usually a result of a herniated disk, bone spur, or narrowing of the spine.
There is a higher risk of developing sciatica with age, being overweight, smoking, having diabetes, and being sedentary.
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
The most distinct symptom of sciatica is pain that radiates from the lumbar (lower) spine to the buttocks and down to the back of the leg. The severity of this pain can vary greatly. It can be mild to sharp, excruciating, or may feel like a burning sensation.
Aside from the pain, there may also be numbness, tingling sensation, or weakness in the affected leg or foot.
Diagnosing and Treating Sciatica
To find out if your lower back pain is a result of sciatica, our specialists at South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine will do a thorough assessment. This will include taking your medical history and running some tests.
Some of these tests may include X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and electromyography.
In many cases, sciatica gets better after days of doing self-care. This may involve doing hot/cold packs compression, taking over-the-counter medications, and rest.
When the pain becomes unbearable and if bowel or bladder functions are affected, surgery may be recommended. The purpose of the surgery is to relieve the pressure from the pinched nerve that causes the pain and other symptoms.
Sciatica can change what you can and can’t do. If it’s affecting how you live your day-to-day life, call us. We’ll look into your condition and see what’s the most suitable treatment option for you.
For appointment requests, you may call (772) 288-2400.