Sciatica

About 40% of people develop sciatica during their lifetime. At North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates in Ridgewood, New Jersey, experienced neurosurgeons Amanda Carpenter, MD, and Duncan Carpenter, MD, offer treatments that take pressure off a painful sciatic nerve. Schedule an evaluation with the North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates experts by calling the office or booking an appointment online today. 

What is sciatica?

Sciatic is nerve pain affecting your sciatic nerve, a nerve that runs through your hips, buttocks, and down each of your legs. This type of pain is common but can become crippling when not treated. Seeking medical care early helps lessen your discomfort and the risk of complications, so you can resume doing the things you love pain-free. 

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica causes the following symptoms:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Radiating discomfort down your leg
• Pain
• Burning discomfort
• Electric shock-like pain
• Pins and needles
• Discomfort when coughing, bending, sneezing, or lifting your legs 
• Urinary or bowel incontinence 
• Muscle weakness

These symptoms might affect your hips, lower back, buttocks, legs, and, sometimes, your feet and toes. 

What can cause sciatica discomfort?

Causes of sciatica may include:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Disc herniation
• Osteoarthritis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Pregnancy
• Injuries
• Tumors
• Heavy lifting
• Previous injury
• Wear-and-tear
• Obesity
• Poor core strength
• Physically demanding job
• Poor posture
• Lack of exercise
• Using tobacco products
• Type 2 diabetes

However, the cause of sciatica isn’t always clear. Sometimes, it resolves on its own over time, while other times, it worsens or persists long term when left untreated. 

How is sciatica diagnosed?

Diagnosing sciatica at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates requires a discussion of your medical history and symptoms, physical exam, lab work, straight leg raise tests, or other strength and flexibility assessments. Your specialist may order X-rays, a CT scan, an MRI, nerve testing, or other diagnostic tests. 

How is sciatica treated?

Your personalized sciatica treatment plan at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates may include one or more of the following:

• Rest
• Ice or heat packs
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Spinal adjustments
• Massage therapy 
• Spinal injections
• Minimally invasive surgery

Surgical options for relieving sciatica include discectomy (removal of a herniated disc) and laminectomy, a procedure that removes a portion of your vertebra to reduce pressure placed on nearby spinal nerves. 

Your recovery time is based on the treatment you undergo. You might feel better within several weeks or months. About 80-90% of people with sciatica recover without surgery. 

Sciatica prevention measures include maintaining good posture, not smoking, using proper techniques when lifting heavy objects, and achieving and maintaining an ideal weight. It’s also helpful to stay active, minimize stress, and eat nutritious foods. 

Schedule a sciatica evaluation at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.