Sciatica Treatment

The sciatic nerves are the longest in the body, running from the lower back through the hips and buttocks, and down the back of each leg. When one of these nerves becomes compressed or irritated, the result is sciatica — pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates along the nerve’s path. Sciatica symptoms can be debilitating and may run from the lower back, right down to the foot.

Fortunately, sciatica treatment has an excellent success rate in restoring function and providing lasting sciatica pain relief. Research shows that nearly 90% of patients improve with non-surgical treatment for sciatica pain, including physical therapy, medication, or injections. For those whose symptoms persist, minimally invasive or robotic-assisted sciatica surgery can relieve pressure on the nerve and restore mobility. For all sciatica treatments, the goal is the same: to reduce pain, protect nerve function, and help you return to normal activity.

What Is Sciatica?

Typically, sciatica, also called lumbar radiculopathy, usually affects one leg. Sciatica is most common in people with a herniated disk, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis. This can cause inflammation, pain, and even numbness in the affected leg. Fortunately, most patients recover within a few weeks with non-surgical sciatica treatment, even when symptoms are severe. However, patients with ongoing pain, significant leg weakness, or incontinence may need sciatica surgery.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica symptoms vary from person to person, but they almost always involve pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. Many patients describe it as a sharp, burning, or electric pain that starts in the lower back and shoots through the buttock and down one leg.

Other common sciatica signs include:

• Lower back pain radiating down the back of the thigh and into the foot (usually on one side).
• Numbness, weakness, tingling, and incontinence, in severe cases.
• Pain symptoms vary widely from a dull ache to sharp, burning pain that can even feel like an electric shock.
• Sciatica pain often worsens with sitting, coughing, or sneezing.

With timely treatment for sciatica, most patients experience significant improvement in pain and function. While numbness, tingling, or weakness may take longer to resolve, relieving pressure on the nerve often leads to steady recovery. Even when surgery is needed, today’s advanced techniques give patients a strong chance of lasting sciatica nerve pain relief.

Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica results from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. This can happen for several reasons, most often related to changes in the spine that put pressure on the nerve roots.

Common causes include:

• Herniatedor slipped disc – when disc material bulges or ruptures, pressing on the nerve.
• Bone spurs or arthritis – bony overgrowths can narrow the spinal canal and pinch the nerve.
• Spinal stenosis – a narrowing of the spinal canal that reduces space for the nerve roots.
• Degenerative disc disease – age-related disc wear that increases nerve pressure.
• Spinal deformitiesor instability – conditions such as scoliosis or spondylolisthesis can shift vertebrae out of place.

Injury, tumors, or other spinal conditions can also contribute to sciatic nerve pain. Understanding the underlying cause is essential to selecting the right sciatica treatment, whether non-surgical care or, in more severe cases, sciatica surgery.

Diagnosing Sciatica

Your orthopedic physician at HOI will check your muscle strength and reflexes during a physical exam, asking you to walk on your toes or heels, rise from a squatting position, or lift each leg while lying on your back. Discomfort from any of these activities may indicate sciatica.

Imaging tests may be necessary to rule out herniated disks or bone spurs. An MRI scan may also be ordered to take detailed images of the bone and soft tissues, including any herniated disks. These tests guide your back specialist in determining the best sciatica treatment for you.

Non-Surgical Sciatica Treatments

For most patients, non-surgical sciatica pain treatments are highly effective at relieving chronic pain and restoring function. Your spine specialist may recommend:

• Home exercises
• Heat or ice packs
• Posture changes
• Sleep support
• Workstation ergonomics
• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections

If your pain and mobility impairment persist despite conservative sciatica treatments like these, it’s time to consider surgery.

Surgical Options for Sciatica

Most patients experience genuine sciatica pain relief with self-care measures and home exercises. Surgery is reserved for patients whose compressed nerve causes significant symptoms and pain that progressively worsen without responding to more conservative treatments.

The options for sciatica surgery include:

• Microdiscectomy – A minimally invasive surgery that removes the portion of a herniated disc pressing on the nerve.
• Laminectomy – Removal of part or all of the lamina (the bony covering of the spinal canal) to create more space and relieve compression of the sciatic nerve, often used for spinal stenosis.
• Laminotomy – A smaller opening in the lamina for accessing and removing disc fragments or bone spurs.
• Spinal fusion(rarely) – Stabilizing the spine to protect the nerves from instability or deformity.

With today’s advanced techniques, sciatica surgery can provide lasting pain relief and a relatively short recovery.

Why Choose Hoag Orthopedic Institute for Sciatica Treatment

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our nationally recognized, board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeons provide expert treatments for sciatica pain using the latest diagnostic tools and treatment options to address the root cause of your symptoms.

Our team provides you with a personalized sciatica treatment plan, from conservative therapy to advanced minimally invasive surgery, always focused on restoring your mobility and protecting your long-term spinal health.

Contact us today or call (949) 705-6493 for further information and to arrange your first appointment.
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