Sharp or persistent sciatica pains can become a severe issue in your life. This common condition, related to a pinched nerve, typically results in pain and can even make it difficult to lift heavy objects or walk comfortably. Your sciatica symptoms may center in your lower back or may be felt in your buttocks or legs on either side, following the path of the sciatic nerve.
At Total Spine Institute of Sherman Oaks and Calabasas, California, we take your sciatica pain seriously. Our team, led by Dr. Andrew Fox and Dr. Ryan Mattie, works with you to develop the least invasive treatment plan likely to relieve your symptoms. We typically start with conservative approaches and only progress to sciatica surgery when necessary.
Sciatica is the most common pinched nerve condition in adults in the United States. Also known as lumbar radiculopathy, this condition occurs when your sciatic nerve becomes compressed or pinched. The sciatic nerve is quite long, originating in your lower spine and branching down both sides of your legs. Typically, you only experience sciatica symptoms on one side of your body.
Your pain symptoms may be mild or sharp. Some sciatica pain may feel like burning. Sudden shooting pains may occur when you lift heavy objects or even if you sneeze or cough. You may experience numbness, weakness, or tingling in your leg or foot, and your symptoms may interfere with walking.
If you’re experiencing sciatica symptoms that interfere with your daily life, it’s important to seek help early. Contact the team at the Total Spine Institute to learn more about how you can find lasting relief. You may or may not need surgery as part of your treatment plan. Either way, early intervention can make a significant difference in your recovery.
If your sciatica stays mild, it’s worth taking time to explore conservative, nonsurgical treatment options. Lifestyle changes, including healthy weight loss, can make a difference in your sciatica symptoms. Strengthening your core muscles in physical therapy may provide lasting relief.
If your sciatica is caused by frequent heavy lifting, rest may be just what you need to fully recover. If you’re not ready for surgery, you can also try treatments like regenerative platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections or ultrasound-guided steroid and anesthetic injections to relieve persistent symptoms.
In some cases, it may be necessary to deal with an underlying problem causing nerve compression, such as a herniated spinal disc, spinal stenosis, or bone spurs, before your symptoms can be sufficiently resolved. If you do need surgery, we use minimally invasive techniques and robotic-assisted procedures whenever possible, keeping your risks low and your recovery time short.
The type of surgery you need for sciatica depends on the cause of the pinched nerve. You may need a replacement spinal disc made of artificial materials to be surgically inserted. Or, if you need spinal decompression, you may benefit from the surgically-implanted Vertiflex™ Procedure Superion™ Indirect Decompression System.
Contact the Total Spine Institute today to learn more about your options for permanently relieving sciatica pain. You can schedule your appointment online or over the phone.
