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Home , Lumbar spinal stenosis, Nerve root, Sciatica, Spinal nerve, Spinal stenosis

Sciatica Treatment The Six Leading Diagnosis is essential to the treatment plan and may include x-rays or MRI in addition to a neurologic exam. Depending on the cause of your sciatic , there are Causes of several treatment options. Conservative treatment includes activity modification, , anti-inflammatory , and possible specialized spinal injections to alleviate root . Surgical treatment may include removing the herniated disc through a small incision (microdiscectomy) or unroofing the to allow more room for the nerve roots (). Your primary care physician or spine specialist may assist you further with the work up of your discomfort.

If you have any further questions or wish to discuss your low or sciatic discomfort, please schedule a consultation with us at your convenience.

Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic, P.C. 303-225-8120 www.spineclinic.com sci•at•i•ca noun “Orthopaedic surgeons specializing in both pain affecting the back, , and outer side of the leg, conservative and surgical care of the spine” caused by compression of a spinal in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of a intervertebral disk the nucleus breaks through the annulus. Whether a disc compression occurs and often causes sciatic leg pain. Six Leading Causes of Sciatica bulges or herniates, disc material can press against an is categorized as developmental Several different spine (low back) disorders adjacent nerve root and compress delicate nerve (found at birth, develops during childhood) or can cause sciatica. Sciatica is often described as mild to and cause sciatica. The consequences of a herniated disc acquired from spinal degeneration, trauma or physical intense pain into a leg. Sciatica is caused by compression are worse. Not only does the herniated nucleus cause stress (i.e. weightlifting). of one or more of the five sets of nerve roots in the lower direct compression of the nerve root against the interior back. Sometimes doctors call sciatica a . of the bony spinal canal, but the disc material itself also (4) Trauma contains an acidic, chemical irritant (hyaluronic acid) Radiculopathy is a medical term used to describe pain, Sciatica can result from direct nerve compression numbness, tingling, and weakness in the or legs caused that causes nerve inflammation. In both cases, nerve compression and irritation cause inflammation and caused by external forces to the lumbar or sacral by a nerve root problem. If the nerve problem is in the , roots. Examples include motor vehicle it is called a cervical radiculopathy. However, since sciatica pain, often leading to extremity numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. accidents, falling down, football, snowboarding and affects the low back, it is called a lumbar radiculopathy. other sports. The impact may injure the or (2) Lumbar Spinal occasionally fragments of broken bone may compress Pathways to Pain the nerves. is a nerve Five sets of paired nerve roots in the lumbar spine combine compression disorder most (5) to create the sciatic nerve. Starting at the back of the pelvis often affecting mature (), the sciatic nerve runs from the back, under the people. Leg pain similar Piriformis syndrome is named buttock, and downward through the hip area into each leg. to sciatica may occur as for the and Nerve roots are not ‘solitary’ structures but are part of the a result of lumbar spinal the pain caused when the body’s entire capable of transmitting pain stenosis. The pain is usually muscle irritates the sciatic and sensation to other parts of the body. Radiculopathy positional, often brought nerve. The piriformis muscle occurs when compression of a nerve root from a disc on by activities such as is located in the lower part rupture or bone spur occurs in the lumbar spine prior to standing or walking and of the spine, connects to it joining the sciatic nerve. relieved by sitting down. the femur, and assists in Spinal nerve roots branch outward from the hip rotation. The sciatic Sciatic Nerve Compression through passageways called neural foramina comprised nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. Piriformis of bone and . Between each set of vertebral syndrome develops when muscle spasms develop in Several different types of spinal disorders can cause spinal bodies, located on the left and right sides, is a foramen. the piriformis muscle thereby compressing the sciatic nerve compression and sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy. Nerve roots pass through these openings and extend nerve. It may be difficult to diagnose and treat due to The six most common are: (1) a bulging or herniated outward beyond the spinal column to innervate other the lack of x-ray or MRI findings. disc (2) (3) spondylolisthesis (4) parts of the body. When these passageways become trauma (5) piriformis syndrome, and (6) spinal tumors. narrow or clogged causing nerve compression, the term (6) Spinal Tumors Each condition is briefly explained. foraminal stenosis is used. Spinal tumors are abnormal (1) Lumbar Bulging or Herniated Disc growths that are either benign (3) Spondylolisthesis or cancerous (malignant). A bulging disc is also known Spondylolisthesis is a disorder Fortunately, spinal tumors as a contained disc disorder. that most often affects the lumbar are rare. However, when a This means the gel-like center spine. It is characterized by develops in the lumbar region, there is a risk (nucleus pulposus) remains one slipping forward for sciatica to develop as a result of nerve compression. ‘contained’ within the tire- over an adjacent vertebra. like outer wall (annulus When a vertebra slips and is fibrosus) of the disc. A displaced, spinal nerve root herniated disc occurs when