Sciatica
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a form of radicular pain that may affect the lower back, buttock, and leg. Radicular pain, also called radiculopathy, develops when a nerve in the spine comes under pressure. Radicular pain can also occur in an arm when a nerve is affected in the neck.
With sciatica, there’s an irritation or pinching of one of the nerve roots in the spine that leads to inflammation or other problem in the lumbar spine.
What Causes Sciatica?
The causes of pinched nerves are most often due to:
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc occurs when the soft, jelly-like inside of a spinal disc protrudes through a weak spot in its tough outer casing. The bulging section of the disc can press against a nerve root, causing sciatica pain.
Spinal Stenosis
Stenosis is a condition that leads to narrowing of the spine, which can occur for several reasons. A common cause is the deterioration of the vertebrae due to osteoarthritis, which can trigger the development of bone spurs. These can press against the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica.
Nerve root injuries that can lead to sciatica might occur in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.
What Treatments Are There For Sciatica?
The Integrated Spine and Pain Services team aims to relieve the inflammation and irritation of your pinched nerve, thereby relieving your symptoms. They typically use conservative treatment approaches to start with, as these are successful for the majority of patients.
Initial treatments would include a combination of activity modification, physical therapy, and stretching exercises. If these treatments aren’t resolving your pain, the Integrated Spine and Pain Services team have specialist expertise in minimally invasive treatment options such as:
- Transforaminal epidural steroid injections
- Selective nerve root blocks
- Spinal cord stimulator trial
If you have a pinched nerve or sciatica, schedule a consultation with the expert team at Integrated Spine and Pain Services by making a call today or using the online form to book an appointment.
Trusted interventional pain management and neurology specialists serving Northern Virginia, including Falls Church, Alexandria, and Lorton.
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