This is also know as lumbar radiculopathy.

Please visit our Make an Appointment page for more information.Sciatica is a general term used to describe pain in the back, hip, and legs caused by compression of the sciatic nerve that runs from the lower end of the spinal cord down to the lower extremities. You're about to make an important decision, and we want to help you make a good one. Our staff will be glad to talk with you about your options and how we can help. The surgical treatment is individualized to the patient-and the underlying cause of their sciatica-and could include: If non-surgical treatments do not work or if the condition worsens, surgical conditions may be considered. Sometimes patients have a prolonged benefit from these interventions and oftentimes these are repeated.

If non-surgical treatments are not effective, spine injection therapy such as epidural steroids may decrease inflammation around nerves that have been affected.

Medications that decrease nerve irritation can be tried.

Often, a protruding disc that is causing sciatica resolves itself in a few weeks. Improving core strength and exercise can help with the musculoskeletal pain associated with nerve irritation.

EMG (nerve study) is sometimes ordered if there is concern for nerve health with prolonged symptoms.

Imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans or an MRI.

Based on our findings, we may use the following diagnostic tools: To diagnose your condition, we will take a medical history and conduct a medical exam.

Pain in the lower back that travels to your buttocks and down the back of your thigh to your calf.

The symptom is likely caused by a lumbar or sacral radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease. Sciatica itself actually refers to a symptom rather than a specific disease. The primary cause of sciatica (present in about 90 percent of cases) is spinal disc herniation pressing on one of the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. Sciatica can be caused by various degenerative changes of the spine, including a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, arthritic changes of the lumbar facet joints, and previous surgeries with formation of scar tissue around nerve roots.

Irritation of any of the nerve roots that contribute to it can lead to back pain that travels through the buttock and into the lower extremity. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. Sciatica is a common form of back pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve.

Examination of sciatica