sciatica

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body. When someone mentions sciatica, they are referring to an irritation of the sciatic nerve. This irritation begins in the lower back. And it typically travels down the legs. Proper sciatica treatment is necessary to understand the underlying condition. It can originate from different conditions, such as:

When someone is experiencing sciatic nerve pain, it occurs when a condition compresses the nerve roots or spinal cord. Therefore, causing irritation and pain.

At Spine & Orthopedic Center, our team of spine specialists provides top sciatica treatment. Our focus is on proper diagnosis and treatment. We have locations in Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, and Plantation.

Main Causes of Sciatica

sciatica caused by herniated disc

Patients feel sciatic pain from the low back to behind the thigh. And this pain can radiate down below the knee. Most people tend to think that Sciatica is a diagnosis. However, Sciatica itself is not a condition. Instead, its symptoms caused by a spinal condition(s) compressing the sciatic nerve.

 

Common causes of sciatica, such as:

Common Sciatica Symptoms 

The most common sciatica symptoms include the following:

  • Pain
  • Weakness or numbness in the buttocks or leg
  • Burning or tingling sensation down the leg
  • Pain worsening when sitting

Furthermore, severe sciatic nerve pain can make walking very difficult. And sciatica symptoms can become aggravated by walking or bending at the waist.

Sciatica Treatment Options

There are several non-surgical and surgical options for pain relief. However, they are related to the spinal condition or disease affecting the sciatic nerve. Our spine orthopedic and PT specialists have decades of combined experience. And especially in the treatment of sciatica in Broward and Palm Beach County.

Non-Operative Treatment

The most common non-surgical options, such as:

However, physicians may consider a surgical option after conservative methods fail. And this can be necessary if significant weakness or loss of function occurs.

Surgical Options for Sciatica Treatment

Most common surgical options, such as:

This procedure involves removing all or portions of the lamina. Plus, removing bone spurs and/or enlarging the foramina. Therefore, it is performed to relieve pressure or compression on the nerve roots. And this pressure is often what causes pain.

In addition to a decompression, your surgeon will perform an instrumented posterolateral fusion. And this is performed by inserting a series of screws and rods. However, its coupled with the placement of the bone graft. Therefore, providing increased spinal stability.

This surgical approach is from the front of the abdomen. The surgeon will then use surgical instruments to remove the disc material. In fact, material causes nerve compression. Then, once this material is removed, an interbody cage or bone spacer is placed at the disc site. And is filled with bone graft. The vertebral bodies above and below are frequently put under compression. Therefore, performed to aid in the subsequent spinal fusion.

The same procedure as the ALIF but the approach and exposure are performed from the back. Just as in an ALIF, the surgeon will remove the disc material and insert an interbody device. Compression through the use of pedicle screws is frequently achieved to aid in fusion.

At Spine & Orthopedic Center, our team can provide both non-surgical and minimally invasive options. Call us 24/7 at 888-409-8006 to speak with a specialist. Our offices are conveniently located in Boca Raton, Deerfield, Coral Springs & Planation.