What symptoms suggest I have sciatica?
Sciatica symptoms occur when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated. The sciatic nerve is the single largest nerve in your body and runs from the lower portion of your spine down the back of your thigh.
Sciatica usually only affects one side. You may have pain intermittently, or it can be chronic and especially evident with you drive or run.
Common signs that you have sciatica include:
- Increased pain when you move from sitting to standing
- Tingling, searing, and burning pain in your buttocks and leg
- Pain that radiates down your leg into your foot and toes
Sciatic pain ranges in severity and intensity. You may find it debilitating or just mildly annoying.
What causes sciatica?
Usually, sciatica is caused by an underlying issue in your lower back. Common reasons you have sciatica are:
- A herniated lumbar disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal
- Spondylolisthesis caused by a fractured or defective vertebra
A tight piriformis muscle, which lies deep in your buttocks, can also compress the sciatic nerve and cause pain.
How is sciatica diagnosed?
Dr. Kulick performs a comprehensive physical exam and a full examination of your medical history. He may order imaging tests to help narrow down a diagnosis.
Understanding the reason for your pain is important because it helps him develop a customized treatment plan for you.
How is sciatica pain treated?
Dr. Kulick offers treatments that include epidural spinal injections, which contain cortisone, into the lower back to help reduce swelling and inflammation of the sciatic nerve root.
Muscle relaxants, pain medications, and anti-inflammatories can help you find relief from chronic sciatica that causes dysfunction.
Dr. Kulick may also suggest physical therapy to prevent your sciatica from returning once it’s resolved or to keep it from worsening. These exercises help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and include stretching to improve your flexibility. With careful treatment, sciatic pain usually resolves within 6-12 weeks.
To learn how you can find relief from nagging, debilitating sciatic pain, call the office of Dr. Alexander Kulick or book a consultation using the online tool.
