Can Surgery Alleviate Sciatica Pain?
Back and leg pain is a frustrating experience, but sciatica is probably one of the most extreme versions of this condition. Roughly 3 million people a year struggle with the discomfort, which is often linked to having a herniated disk or bone spurs that can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Usually, at-home care or even non-invasive in-office solutions provide relief. For more extreme cases, people might want to consider minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to put an end to the pain.
Reasons sciatica happens
Sciatica is a condition that happens when the sciatic nerve is pinched. The nerve is located in the bottom half of the body, running from the lower back into the buttocks, hips and legs. In most cases, sciatica is a result of having a herniated disk. The diagnosis can put painful pressure on the sciatic nerve or even nearby bone spurs. Sometimes tumorous growths may lead to sciatica. People with diabetes might also struggle with the condition since nerve damage is possible, especially in poorly managed cases.
Having a higher risk
Sciatica isn’t gender-specific nor does the condition appear more commonly in one race. However, a few common factors can increase a person’s chances of developing the nerve condition. Being older, overweight, having uncontrolled diabetes, or even sitting for extended periods are more likely to encourage nerve damage. Certain occupations can also increase risk potential. Pregnant women are also at risk of temporarily having sciatica because relaxin hormones spike, leading to the joints and ligaments stretching. Similarly, pregnancy related weight gain might also increase symptoms.
Know the symptoms
Not every case of sciatica presents the same. Some people might have more mild forms of the condition while other individuals will be debilitated and unable to walk or move properly. Pain is typically more pronounced on one side of the body and sometimes may be sharpest in a specific area such as part of the leg or hip. Sometimes, progression can be so bad that people might struggle with weakness in the limbs. Sitting or standing for extended periods can trigger sciatica. The nerve pain is sometimes only felt at night, or after a person sneezes, coughs, strains, or laughs.
Common non-invasive treatments
At-home treatment tends to be the go-to pain relief option. The priority is pain management which often focuses on hot and cold therapy or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Gentle stretches can strengthen core muscles and reduce discomfort. If at-home care doesn’t work, a physician might prescribe pain medications, recommend localized injections, or suggest physical therapy.
MIS treatments that work
When other treatments don’t work, a MIS treatment might be the only option. A few options are available with the most common being microdiscectomies, lumbar microlaminotomies, and endoscopic spine surgery. With microdiscectomies, a surgeon removes parts of the herniated disc. In lumbar microlaminotomies, a small part of the lamina or bony roof in the spinal canal is removed to ease pressure. Endoscopic spine surgery relies on tiny cameras to remove both herniated discs or even bone spurs. Research suggests that surgical treatments can be more effective than non-surgical solutions for people with chronic cases.
Relief from sciatica
Not every person is an ideal candidate for MIS sciatica operations but when recommended, the treatments tend to offer significant pain relief. Usually, non-invasive pain management is recommended first before shifting to surgery. If sciatica pain is unbearable, consider talking to a doctor to explore options.
