What Are The Symptoms and Treatments for Sciatica

spinal stenosis

Sciatica is inflammation of the sciatic nerve that is connected between the base of the spine and the thigh. It is a painful condition with very sudden onset that can last for some considerable time. Symptoms can vary considerably; examples include pins and needles in the thigh and upper leg, shooting pains running from the lower back to the thigh or a cramp-like feeling. It makes the leg difficult to move at times and can, in the worst cases, be fairly debilitating.

There are several reasons why it can occur. Most frequently it is simply due to a person moving awkwardly or maybe picking something up while incorrectly positioned. Initially a person gets a sharp sensation around the base of the spine and buttock which makes then stop what they were doing. Unfortunately once a person has noticed this sharp pain the damage has been done and the symptoms will worsen over the next few hours.

This is because extreme pressure has been put on the nerve ending. The sharp initial pain is when this occurs, but at this point the nerve will start to get inflamed which exacerbates the symptoms. Sciatica can also result from more serious conditions, such as spinal stenosis, spondylolithesis or piriformis syndrome.

The condition is often worse first thing in the morning. People often get a little relief by finding a position that's comfortable, but as soon as they move the pain and other symptoms will return.

Importantly, once a person gets an attack of sciatica they need to seek medical advice. This is not so much because the doctor can cure the condition; it is more to ascertain if there is any underlying cause. In the vast majority of cases it is simply a case that a person has done something awkwardly that over time will get better.

Most people that suffer an attack of sciatica will be advised to rest; although with the pressure that most people are under today, resting is often not an option. Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed; the types of drugs depend on the severity of the condition. An ibuprofen ointment or cream may also given which can be rubbed into the skin around the area that is painful. The anti-inflammatory drugs calm the nerve and help it recover.

Additional treatments are pain relieving drugs to ease the pain. While these are obviously helpful, the problem is that a person considers the condition has gone and starts to act normally. This can mean that the condition will take longer to go away.

In the very worst cases, where no improvement occurs, then it is possible that a surgical procedure will be suggested. This provides greater space between the base of the spine and the sciatic nerve therefore releasing the pressure that causes the symptoms. However, in by far the majority of cases; around 80 to 90 percent the symptoms will gradually disappear. Once the inflammation in the nerve subsides the symptoms improve, but it can take several weeks and in some cases a few months.