Sciatica
504 West 35th St
New York, NY 10001
240 East 59th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10022
156 William Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10038
The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body. Problems with this nerve can cause sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy)—pain, tingling, numbness or weakness that travels down the lower back and into the leg or extremity. Sciatica treatment at °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ helps eliminate or reduce sciatica symptoms.
Sciatica is not a disease; it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. It most commonly occurs when a herniated disc or narrowed spinal area (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the sciatic nerve. This causes pain to radiate from the lower back. Often, sciatica pain travels behind the thigh and below the knee to the ankle or foot. When the sciatic nerve is compressed in the piriformis muscle in the buttock area, it is called piriformis syndrome.
Additionally, nearby bone, muscle, tumors, infections, injury or bleeding can irritate the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica symptoms vary based on the location of the pinched nerve and may include:
- Constant pain on one side of the buttock or leg
- Leg pain that feels like burning or tingling
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Pain that worsens when sitting or radiates down the leg and possibly into the foot and toes (radiculitis)
- Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the affected leg, foot or toes ()
Sciatica Treatments
Sciatica treatment typically begins with conservative measures. Your care team may prescribe one or more of the following:
- Application of heat or ice to the hurting area
- Exercise and physical therapy to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve
- Massage therapy
- Muscle relaxants
- Oral corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
Mild sciatica often resolves through a combination of these conservative therapies. However, severe pain may require additional care. In these cases, epidural corticosteroid injections or other nerve blocks (sciatic nerve block) may benefit you. Your provider injects powerful anti-inflammatory medication into the area outside your spine with a thin needle using image guidance such as an X-ray or ultrasound. The goal is to help relieve inflammation and swelling of a herniated disc, which reduces nerve irritation and sciatica symptoms.
In some cases, targeted stimulation (spinal cord or peripheral nerve) may benefit longer-lasting cases. These are often tried when surgery may not be appropriate or a less invasive approach is warranted.
If symptoms continue, your team may recommend surgery. During , the spinal surgeon decompresses the sciatic nerve to bring pain relief and restore full use and motion of affected limbs. When surgery is appropriate, our surgeons take the least invasive approach possible. This leads to positive results, a quick recovery and reduced scarring.
Why Choose °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ
The team in the °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ Division of Pain Management specializes in diagnosing and treating sciatica. We work with a broad team of specialists to help you regain independence and functionality and enjoy an improved quality of life.
After assessing your case, we tailor a treatment plan that may include medication, pain management and physical therapy. We explain all treatment options and empower you to control your health journey. If you require surgery, we discuss your procedure and the expected outcome.
In addition, °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ engages in clinical trials, giving you access to new treatments offered at few locations. .
Turning to °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ also gives you access to a multidisciplinary team of sciatica experts. At the and Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian/The Spiral, your care teams may include providers from the following disciplines:
- Pain management
- Physiatry (rehabilitation medicine)
Make an appointment
If you would like to find out more about sciatica treatments for pain management, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.
