What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica (also known as lumbar radiculopathy) is a medical condition that affects your sciatic nerve. This large nerve runs from your lower back to your hips, buttocks, and on either side of your legs, extending all the way down to the soles of your feet. When the nerve is damaged or compressed, you feel a stabbing, shooting, or burning pain, as well as tingling, numbness, and weakness, anywhere from your lower back and hip region down to your feet and toes.
Sciatica is more common in people between the ages of 20 and 60. A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and diabetes can also increase the risk of developing this chronic condition. To provide you with long-lasting relief, our specialists conduct a comprehensive medical examination before recommending a personalized treatment plan. Contact 杏吧原创 today to get back to your active lifestyle without pain.
Meet Our NYC Sciatica Specialists
Our board-certified NYC sciatica doctors are nationally recognized experts in treating sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy). We provide a full spectrum of treatments designed to relieve pain, starting with advanced non-surgical options such as epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, and targeted physical rehabilitation. For patients who need additional care, we also offer minimally invasive procedures like discectomy, the MILD procedure, and the latest groundbreaking therapies, including Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (mPNS) and Scrambler Therapy.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica disease is typically caused by irritation of the root of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine.
Other sciatica causes include:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Muscle spasm
- Pregnancy
Sciatica issues can be triggered by several problems that involve your spine. It might affect the nerves running along your back.
What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica pain treatment depends on the root cause of the sciatic nerve damage. All of these medical conditions can cause undue pressure on your sciatic nerve. Pressure leads to the painful sciatica symptoms you鈥檙e experiencing, such as:
- A herniated disc in your spine. Discs have jelly-like insides with a harder shell that weakens with time. If the shell cracks or ruptures, the contents spill out and press against your sciatic nerve.
- Spinal stenosis. This is a disorder that narrows the spinal canal, compressing the nerve roots and spinal cord. The wear and tear of your spine are usually associated with osteoarthritis.
- Spondylolisthesis.聽This medical disorder affects your lower back when a vertebra slips and becomes misaligned with your spine. It ends up narrowing the exit of the sciatic nerve, irritating it in the process.
- Piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle is found in the lower part of your spine, hips, and buttocks. When the muscle develops spasms, it can compress the sciatic nerve.
Other related medical reasons for lumbar radiculopathy may include a direct impact force from a car accident, a sports injury, or falling downstairs. Osteoporosis, a weakening of your bones, can create compression fractures in your spine.
How Is Sciatica Diagnosed?
Sciatica is diagnosed based on a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and imaging results. During the exam, our specialists assess muscle strength, reflexes, and your ability to perform specific movements to pinpoint the source of pain.
We also use modern imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to obtain detailed images of the spine and identify herniated discs, bone spurs, or other conditions that cause compression of the sciatic nerve. In addition, your doctor may order electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve conduction and accurately identify the affected nerves.
Dr. Leon Reyfman, MD follows an evidence-based approach to diagnosing sciatica, using clinical evaluation and imaging to identify the affected nerve root. In complex cases, selective diagnostic nerve root blocks may be used to confirm the pain source.
What Are the Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Sciatica?
For severe pain that doesn鈥檛 respond to non-invasive treatments, your Manhattan sciatica treatment doctor may suggest minimally invasive surgery as the best option. These procedures are safe and fast, with proven consistent results. Pain Management provides a standard of care that鈥檚 among the best in the world. These minimally invasive procedures include:
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Leon Reyfman, MD, FIPP, RPh
(Pain Management Doctor)