Definition
To describe in a few words, Sciatica is a medical condition which shows symptoms of leg pain. The origin of the pain is generally from the lower back which travels through the buttocks to sciatic nerve in the back of the leg(s). Going by probability of such cases, it normally affects only one side of the body.
What causes SCIATICA?
One of the most common causes of Sciatica in today’s world is when a herniated disk presses on the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. This leads to inflammation, pain and is often followed by a brief numbness in the affected leg.Another reason includes the overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on vertebrae.The pain associated with sciatica can be severe but in most cases it doesn’t require any kind surgical operation. It resolves within a few weeks of expert medical supervision. Patients who suffer from severe sciatica that’s associated with significant leg weakness, bowel or bladder changes, etc. might need to undergo a surgery.
How do I know it’s Sciatica?
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Pain that spreads out from your lower spine to the buttock and makes way to the back of the leg is the hallmark of Sciatica. A certain discomfort is felt almost everywhere along the nerve pathway affected by it. The back of the thigh and calf are the worst affected areas in terms of pain.The pain can vary though. It can be a mild ache to a sharp burning sensation leading to excruciating pain. At time, it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. Coughing and sneezing can worsen the condition and prolonged sitting can aggravate the symptoms.
Some people also experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot. You can also have pain in one part of the leg while numbness in another part.
If in doubt, contact our Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Suresh Bansal at 9811062832 or come to us at Bansal Global Hospital in Delhi for sciatica treatment.
When to consult an ORTHOPEDICAIN?
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Cases of Mild Sciatica usually go away over time. You should consult your doctor at the earliest of self-care measures fail to ease your pain. You can wait for a week before taking professional help but don’t try too many things without proper consultation.However, get immediate help if:The pain is followed by a violent injury, such as a traffic or domestic accident which directly hit the area.It’s affecting your bowel or bladder movements terribly or abnormally.
Risk Factors:
Age: Age-related changes in the spine, such as herniated disks and bone spurs are the most common causes of sciatica.
Obesity: Excess body weight can increase the stress on the spine and contribute to the spinal changes that trigger sciatica.
Occupation: A job or regular activities that requires you to twist your back, carry heavy loads, or drive a motor vehicle for long periods might also play a significant role in causing Sciatica.
Prolonged sitting: People who have to sit for prolonged periods or have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than active people.
Diabetes: Diabetes doesn’t directly motivate the symptoms but the way a diabetic body uses blood sugar, increases the risk of nerve damage which ultimately leads to Sciatica.
Complications
With the help of professionals, Sciatica is fully curable. Though in a few complicated cases, it may lead to permanent nerve damage.
RED FLAGS SIGN OF SCIATICA
Loss of feeling in the affected leg.Weakness in the affected leg.Dysfunctional bowel or bladder movements.If you experience any of the above, it’s time you consult an expert. Our orthopaedic expert Dr. Suresh Bansal studies the case from the scratch and recommends a treatment line that best suits individual cases.
Questions Addressed by our orthopaedic expert Dr. Suresh Bansal:
What's the most likely cause of my back pain?
Are there other possible causes?
Do I need diagnostic tests?
What treatment do you recommend?
If you're recommending medications, what are the possible side effects?
For how long will I need to take medication?
Am I a candidate for surgery? Why or why not?
Is there any food based or other restrictions I need to follow?
What self-care measures should I take?
What can I do to prevent my symptoms from recurring?
Don't hesitate to ask sciatica expert Dr Suresh Bansal other questions as more aware you are of your condition, the quicker the healing process.
What Our Expert Expects You To Answer:
Do you have numbness or weakness in your legs?
Do certain body positions or activities make your pain better or worse?
Rate the pain in the scale of 1 to 10?
Do you do heavy physical work?
Do you exercise regularly? If yes, with what types of activities?What treatments or self-care measures have you tried? Has anything helped?
If taken proper care and medication as per expert recommendation, one can fight Sciatica within a few weeks. For more information, book an appointment with our orthopaedic expert at the Bansal Global Hospital