Sciatica Pain Surgery
Sciatica pain is a condition that can cause mild to severe pain in the region along your sciatic nerve. This includes your lower back, hips, buttocks, and down your legs. Sciatica pain is the result of irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression of the sciatic nerve located in your lower back area. This condition is typically the result of a herniated or a slipped disc which places pressure on the nerve root. Although this condition can commonly be treated with nonsurgical options, surgery may be required if you continue to experience pain after three months of no improvement.
At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our highly-experienced, expert specialists can help you find relief from sciatica pain with surgical treatment, designed to relieve pressure placed on your sciatic nerve to relieve and control symptoms such as pain and weakness. Our team will work alongside you to develop a personalized treatment plan that truly works for you.
If you are struggling with sciatica pain, schedule your first consultation with the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists today. If you’re in an emergency situation, visit the Immediate Care Clinic at our Schaumburg, IL location.
What Is Sciatica Treatment?
Nonsurgical Treatment
The condition usually heals itself, given sufficient time and rest. Approximately 80% to 90% of patients with sciatica get better over time without surgery, typically within several weeks.
Nonsurgical treatment is aimed at helping you manage your pain without long-term use of medications.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or muscle relaxants may also help.
In addition, you may find it soothing to put gentle heat or cold on your painful muscles. It is important that you continue to move. Do not remain in bed, as too much rest may cause other parts of the body to feel discomfort.
Find positions that are comfortable, but be as active as possible. Motion helps to reduce inflammation. Most of the time, your condition will get better within a few weeks.
Sometimes, your doctor may inject your spinal area with a cortisone-like drug.
As soon as possible, start stretching exercises so you can resume your physical activities without sciatica pain. Your doctor may want you to take short walks and may prescribe physical therapy.
Surgical Treatment
You might need surgery if you still have disabling leg pain after 3 months or more of nonsurgical treatment. A part of your surgery, your herniated disc may be removed to stop it from pressing on your nerve.
Laminotomy
The surgery (laminotomy with discectomy) may be done under local, spinal, or general anesthesia. This surgery is usually very successful at relieving pain, particularly if most of the pain is in your leg.