| Sciatica |
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Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica is
radiating pain that runs down the back of the thigh and sometimes continues into
the leg. It is named for the Sciatic
nerve which courses down the back of the thigh before branching around the knee.
Sciatica symptoms frequently result from one of three common spinal conditions that cause compression of nerve roots. These conditions are: Lumbar Disc Herniation, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, and Spondylolisthesis.
Sciatica Treatment Treatment for early stage sciatica usually includes basic measures such as, appropriate exercises, avoiding exacerbating activities, anti-inflammatory medications and short courses of pain medications. More bothersome cases can respond quite well to epidural steroid injections.
However, if severe sciatica persists despite these basic measures, then surgery to decompress the compressed nerve roots enjoys excellent success rates, and is appropriately considered. The particulars of surgery differ between Lumbar Disc Herniations, Spinal Stenosis, and Spondylolisthesis, but share a common goal of decompressing compressed nerve roots.
Recent scientific studies suggest that patients with more severe sciatica symptoms enjoy significantly greater relief with surgery compared to continued non-operative care.
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