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.

Find a Spine Doctor

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your first visit to Hoag Orthopedic Institute is a chance for you and your spine specialist to get a complete picture of your current back health and goals for recovery. You’ll meet with a board-certified, fellowship-trained back doctor who will listen to your concerns, review any prior imaging or test results, and ask detailed questions about your symptoms and lifestyle. A detailed physical exam may follow to assess your range of motion, strength, and nerve function.
Your back specialist may recommend advanced imaging or additional diagnostic tests available onsite. Together, you’ll discuss what’s causing your pain or mobility limitations and review both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. You’ll leave with a clear and personalized plan designed for your specific needs—and a team ready to support you through each step of your care.
You can connect with one of our qualified spine specialists to review your symptoms, discuss any existing test results, and explore your back treatment options. To schedule your appointment, simply call our scheduling team at (949) 890-0464 or complete the secure request form on our website.
We’ll connect you with the right back doctor for your needs and can help arrange imaging or records before your visit. From the start, you’ll have access to advanced diagnostics and the latest treatments—including the latest techniques for minimally invasive procedures—tailored to your condition and goals.
At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our highly qualified physical therapists, back doctors, and spine surgeons work together to treat a broad range of spine conditions. These include addressing herniated discs, relieving spinal stenosis, and managing degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. Conservative treatments often include targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections to relieve nerve pain, or medications to reduce inflammation.
When surgery is your most effective option, our spine specialists perform procedures including spinal decompression to free compressed nerves, spinal fusion to stabilize the spine, and disc replacement to maintain mobility. Many operations are performed using minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques, which combine advanced imaging with precise instrument control to protect surrounding tissues and support a smoother recovery. Our back specialists devise a custom spine plan for each patient, designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help them return to active, pain-free living.
Hoag Orthopedic Institute offers expert care from fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeons, back doctors, and spine specialists who are leaders in their field. Our team also utilizes advanced techniques such as robotic-assisted spine surgery—providing greater surgical planning, accuracy, steadier instrument control, and less disruption to healthy structures for a smoother recovery.
Exceptional technology and an excellent surgical outcome form just part of your experience with our specialized back care. Your orthopedic spine doctor will focus on your total well-being, creating a personalized treatment plan—surgical or non-surgical—to help you move without pain and regain function. From diagnosis through recovery, we’re committed to getting you back to the lifestyle you love, free from the limitations of back pain or dysfunction.

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