In select cases, a damaged spinal disc is replaced with an artificial one to relieve nerve pressure while preserving natural spinal movement and stability.
Spine Condition
Sciatic Nerve Pain
The pain experienced on the sciatic nerve is known as sciatica. It causes radiating pain along the course of that nerve, which happens to be the longest and thickest one in our body. Sciatica is actually a common form of pain affecting the sciatic nerve that runs from your lower back through both legs, but it may be anything from mild to very severe and can disrupt many areas of daily life. Dr. Rishi Sheth MD and the team at Spine Care NJ specialize in diagnosing and providing sciatica treatment customized to your specific needs based on current knowledge and evidence-based medicine.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain That depends on where the compression is and what’s causing it. You may have:
- Lower back pain (can be present or not
- Pain that shoots from your low back down one leg
- Buttcheek Pain, Hip Pain The thigh or buttock may be affected.
- Tingling or pin and needles
- The area between the hip and knee is numb or weak.
- Symptoms that are aggravated when you sit, cough or sneeze
If the pain is severe and impacting your ability to walk, sleep, or work, you should see a spine specialist for evaluation.
Causes of Sciatic Nerve Pain
Violation of the root sciatic nerve leads to its exposure. What causes sciatica Here are some common explanations for the low back and leg pain:
Herniated or Bulging Disc
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disk in the lumbar spine. Compression or irritation of the nearby sciatic nerve root caused by displaced material.
Stenosis of the spine
The narrowing of the spinal conduit, known as spinal stenosis, can compress several nerves, including the sciatic nerve, especially in older adults.
Disc Degenerative Disease
Your discs age along with you. Less space between neighboring vertebrae and pressure on the related nerve roots might result from disc degradation.
Spondylolisthesis
One vertebra moving forward (or backward) on the conterminous vertebra can cause this problem, which can cause the sciatic nerve to impinge once more.
Syndrome of Piriformis
The piriformis muscle in the rear of the hip is the source of this uncommon ailment. The sciatic nerve may become irritated by the piriformis muscle.
Injury or Trauma
Sciatica can even be brought on by an accident or fall that significantly affects the lower part of your spine and/or pelvis.
Sciatic nerve pain diagnosis
A thorough clinical evaluation is the first step in the diagnostic process at Spine Care NJ. In addition to reviewing your medical history and symptoms, we perform a physical examination to determine which nerve roots might be affected.
Imaging, like CT, electromyography (EMG), MRI, and X-ray, may also be required in order to pinpoint the location of nerve compression and validate the diagnosis.
Options for Non-Surgical Management of Sciatica
Sciatic nerve pain can often be treated without surgery: Most sciatica patients will resolve conservatively.Common forms of treatment include:
Physical Therapy
Various exercise programs will result in reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve, flexibility, and strengthening of the back.
Anti-inflammatories
Pain and inflammation are treated with acetaminophen and NSAIDS (ibuprofen).
Medications for nerve pain and muscle relaxants
Medications may be prescribed to help with nerve pain, if appropriate, muscle spasms, and discomfort.
Epidural steroid injections
Epidural steroid injections are injected into the epidural space to remedy inflammation surrounding the nerve root and decrease temporal sciatica.
Lifestyle modifications
Ergonomic, weight loss, and proper posture changes may prevent future episodes of sciatica.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Alternating heat and cold packs can help reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and ease nerve irritation, offering short-term relief from sciatica symptoms.
When is surgery indicated?
If you have not had any relief from your symptoms after trying a nonsurgical approach for several weeks, or if you have had significant compression that is causing muscle weakness or loss of bowel/bladder control, we will recommend surgery for sciatic nerve pain. Some of the surgeries available to you are:
Microdiscectomy
A minimally invasive approach in which the surgeon removes part of the herniated disc compressing the nerve, helping relieve pain, reduce pressure, and improve function.
Laminectomy
In this procedure the portion of the vertebra (the lamina) is removed to relieve pressure/compression on the nerve. It’s usually done for spinal stenosis. At Spine Care NJ we are utilizing the newest minimally invasive techniques to lessen your recovery time and get you back to doing normal things as soon as possible.
Artificial Disc Replacement
Foraminotomy
This procedure involves enlarging the opening where the nerve roots exit the spinal canal (the foramen) to relieve pressure from a compressed sciatic nerve, often caused by bone spurs or disc material.
Alleviating your Sciatic Nerve Pain
Stop letting Sciatic Nerve Pain impede your daily life. Dr. Rishi Sheth MD provides individualized care to get you better, faster. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting comfort and mobility.
What To Expect During Your Appointment
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective back pain treatment. During your visit with Rishi Sheth, MD, you can expect:
The first step to addressing back pain is proper diagnosis. You will receive the following from your assessment with Rishi Sheth, MD:
- A thorough review of your medical history and symptoms
- A detailed physical examination, including spine and neurological evaluation
- Diagnostic imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans, if necessary
- A clear explanation of the underlying cause of your pain
- A personalized treatment plan based on your needs and lifestyle
Rishi Sheth, MD works closely with each patient to ensure they understand their condition and feel confident in their care plan.