Up to 40 percent of all people will experience sciatica — sometimes referred to as sciatic nerve pain — at some point in their lives.
Are you struggling with sciatica? Likewise, do you deal with constant pain in the lower back and hips?
It’s easy to feel as though you’re stuck with this condition forever. That’s not necessarily the case, though.
Read on to learn more about sciatica and why you might want to consider sciatica surgery.
Sciatica is a type of pain from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back to just below the knee. It is longer than any other nerve in the human body.
People who deal with sciatica often experience severe, shooting pain at various points along the sciatic nerve. They may feel the pain in their lower back, their buttock, or down the back of their leg.
For example, sciatic nerve pain is also characterized by numbness and a tingling sensation in the limbs.
In many cases, sciatica is a symptom of a more serious spinal problem.
Approximately 90 percent of sciatica cases are caused by a herniated disc and nerve root compression. Narrowing of the lumbar spine (known as lumbar stenosis) can cause the symptoms, too, as can tumors.
There are many different strategies physicians use to treat sciatica. The following are some of the most popular treatment options:
These treatments can be very helpful initially. They don’t often provide long-term relief, though.
Interventional pain management techniques, such as epidural injections, muscle injections, and radiofrequency procedures may be more helpful, especially for those dealing with severe pain.
In some cases, surgery is the best option for eliminating sciatic nerve pain.
There are two surgeries commonly used for treating sciatica: discectomies and microdiscectomies.
These surgeries involve the removal of whatever is placing pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sometimes, it’s a herniated disc or a portion of the disc. It could also be something smaller like a bone spur.
A microdiscectomy involves the use of a special microscope, which allows the surgeon to get a better view of their area on which they’re operating.
The following are situations in which surgery for sciatica makes the most sense:
You may also be a good candidate for surgery if your symptoms are severe and other treatment options have not been effective.
As you can see, there are lots of treatment options available for those struggling with sciatica.
Do you want to learn about different pain management techniques or surgical interventions to help relieve your pain? If so, we can help at Moreno Spine.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our treatment options.
Finally, we have offices on both sides of Tampa Bay to help you get seen and start feeling better faster!