Sciatica

Sciatica Treatment in Koramangala, Bangalore

Sciatica is a term for the pain in the legs caused by irritation or some kind of damage of the sciatic nerve. It is a common problem in older adults.

If you experience any such pain, you can contact a sciatica doctor near you.

What are the basic things we need to know about sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the largest one in the human body extending from the lower back right down to the legs through the hips. It is one of the most important nerves, which controls leg functions.

Sciatica is caused when the sciatic nerve gets irritated or damaged in some cases. Mostly you can feel the pain due to sciatica on one side of your body. It becomes more common with advancing age.

Moderate pain gets cured within weeks without treatment, but severe pain will require medical intervention. You can search for sciatica doctors near you to get treated.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

These include:

• Pain in the lower back
• Pain in one of the legs
• Pain in the hips
• Burning and tingling sensation in the legs
• Problem getting up and sitting down
• Weak and numb feet and legs
• Constant and recurring pain in the back

What are the causes of sciatica?

These include:

• When the sciatic nerve gets pinched by a herniated disc in the spine
• Overgrowth of a bone putting pressure on the sciatic nerve
• Compression of the sciatic nerve by a tumor
• Lumbar-spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disorder
• Spondylolisthesis
• Piriformis syndrome
• Muscle spasm
• Pregnancy
• Nerve injury in an accident
• As a consequence of diabetes

When do you need to see a doctor?

When you detect any of the following signs, it’s time to see a doctor:

• Back pain leading to pain in the legs
• Fever
• Swelling and redness in the back
• Numbness in the upper thighs, legs and buttocks
• Weak limbs
• Sudden and excruciating pain in the back
• Burning sensation while peeing
• Loss of bowel and bladder control
• Blood in the urine

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Koramangala, Bangalore.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the risk factors?

These may include:

• Aging
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sleeping uncomfortably on a hard mattress
• No exercise and prolonged sitting jobs
• Accident
• Smoking

How is sciatica diagnosed?

When sciatica is suspected, your doctor will start with a physical exam to test your reflexes and how your muscles respond. The sciatica doctor will ask you to walk on your heels or on your toes to determine the cause of the pain. Next, they will proceed with an imaging test to examine nerve injury due to various conditions:

• X-ray tests to check bone spurs
• CT-scan is done to get a better look at the spinal nerves and the damage caused to them
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is done to get a detailed view of the bones
• Electromyography is used to check a herniated disc and measures how fast a nerve signal travels through the body

Conclusion

Sciatica is a pain disorder. Severe pain can lead to numbness, weakness and problems with your movements. In some cases, there can be a complete loss of feeling in the lower back and bladder control can go haywire as well. It can be prevented by exercising and maintaining posture. It can be treated with hot or cold packs, stretching, yoga, pain medicines and sometimes surgeries.