What is Sciatica Pain?
What Causes Sciatica Pain?
The sciatic nerve can be affected by a variety of disorders. In many cases, each disease causes the sciatic nerve to become pinched, stretched, or compressed. The following are some of the most common causes of sciatica.
Herniated And Bulging Disc:
The most prevalent cause of sciatica is herniated and bulging disc. Discs separate each vertebra and act as cushions to reduce the impact on the spinal column. Because the discs are soft and give support, they are susceptible to damage and degeneration over time and with use. When this happens, pressure or the bulging disc material may irritate the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica pain.
Spondylolisthesis:
The friction produced as one vertebra slips over the vertebra below it can cause pain and irritation in the sciatic nerve.
Spinal Stenosis:
A narrowing of the spinal canal produces nerve or spinal cord compression, which is known as spinal stenosis. This disease frequently causes chronic pain in the lower back and lower limbs. Sciatica on both sides of the body is common in patients with spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis:
Sciatica is frequently due to osteoporosis. Some people may be unaware that they have minor vertebral fractures pinching their sciatic nerve.
Piriformis Syndrome:
The piriformis is a big muscle located in the pelvis. This muscle, inflamed or misused, can press on or irritate the sciatic nerve deep in the buttock, resulting in sciatica.
Facet Hypertrophy:
Facet joints can appear knobby when they become hypertrophied. They can develop cysts. The bigger joints have the potential to irritate underlying nerve roots. This irritation and subsequent inflammation may cause sciatic pain.
Sciatica can also be due to the following conditions in rare cases:
- Pelvic infections
- Tumors
- Injury or trauma to the lumbar spine
How is Sciatica Pain Diagnosed
If your doctor suspects you have sciatica, he will perform a physical test to assess your reflexes and muscle strength. They may ask you to perform particular actions, such as walking on your heels or toes, to determine what is causing your pain.
If your pain is severe, your doctor may recommend imaging scans to rule out bone spurs and herniated discs. You could have tests such as:
X-Ray:
It creates images of the inside of your body to look for bone spurs.
CT Scan:
It combines a series of X-rays to provide a more detailed picture of your spinal cord and spinal canal.
MRI:
It involves radio waves to make images of your insides to provide a view of your back and spine.
Electromyography (EMG):
It measures how quickly nerve signals pass through your body to detect conditions such as a herniated disc.
Treatment Options for Sciatica Pain
Your doctor may recommend these sciatica treatment options:
1. Exercises And Physical Therapy:
Physical therapy improves sciatica symptoms by enhancing flexibility, range of motion, and muscle strength. It can be a good option with other complementary treatments.
2. Acupuncture And Deep Tissue Massage:
Sciatic massage of painful areas may alleviate muscular spasms or contractions and reduce pain. Massage therapy for sciatica can also help you relax, reducing stress and anxiety. Acupuncture can also benefit relaxation by reducing stress, tension, and muscle spasms.
3. Medications:
NSAIDs (ibuprofen-like medications), acetaminophen, membrane-stabilizing medicines, muscle relaxants, and other analgesics are used to treat sciatica pain. It is crucial to understand that there is no indication that opiate treatment for sciatica is beneficial.
4. Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI):
This method involves injecting a drug into the epidural space containing the inflamed nerve root. This injection uses a long-lasting steroid and a local anesthetic (lidocaine). The steroid decreases inflammation and irritation, while the anesthetic drug disrupts the pain-spasm cycle and nociceptor function (pain signal).
5. Trigger Point Injections (TPIs):
Trigger point injections (TPIs) are a medical treatment for muscular spasms that cause sciatica. A local anesthetic and steroid are injected into a trigger point during the treatment.
6. Infusion Techniques:
A small catheter is inserted through a needle into the epidural space or directly next to damaged nerves. Local anesthetics and other medications are administered through this catheter.
7. Disc Decompression:
A needle is injected through the skin into the damaged disc during this procedure. Disc material is suctioned out of the herniated disc, and pressure within the disc is alleviated. To avoid future injury, this treatment should be combined with strengthening exercises.
8. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS):
An implanted electrical device can reduce pain perception by interfering with pain signals sent to your brain during this sciatica treatment. Your doctor will do a brief trial to determine whether this device will benefit you in the long run.
9. Intrathecal Pump Implants:
Pain pumps are also available. These can be incredibly beneficial in delivering long-term pain relief. These pumps distribute medication to a specific location of the body at regular intervals. It includes local anesthetics or muscle relaxants.
10. Percutaneous Discectomy:
This treatment can be used to repair herniated or bulging discs that are pressing on the sciatic nerve. Heat or radio waves are used to remove damaged disc material.
