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What Is Sciatica?
Question: What is sciatica? And what is the best form of treatment for a 53 yr. old mother that has had MS for 19 years now? I also have a torn meniscus and ACL from a 10 yr. old ski accident and had orthoscopic surgery on the meniscus only. I believe, in retrospect, I should have had the ACL taken care of 10 yrs. ago as well;
but no one ever told me that not fixing the ACL could later re damage my meniscus. I also eeeeeeeenot have a care taker, so, will need to hire someone, but for how long?? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!! P L E A S E!!! t
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but no one ever told me that not fixing the ACL could later re damage my meniscus. I also eeeeeeeenot have a care taker, so, will need to hire someone, but for how long?? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!! P L E A S E!!! t
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Brief Answer:
Brief explanation of everything, please revert if anything is unclear ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I would be more than happy to answer each one of your queries:
1. Sciatica is pain that occurs across the region over which the sciatic nerve passes (i.e. from the lower back down until the mid thing or knee region, but the posterior aspect of the leg). It mostly occurs due to a herniated disc, but can also occur due to diabetes, spine abnormalities, streuous exercise, pinched nerve, bone overgrowth, etc.
2. Treatment options include:
+Weight loss if you are overweight or obese
+Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac, tylenol)
+Avoid strenuous exercise that can also cause sciatica
+Muscle relaxants
+Anti-depressants (do not treat depression, but have found to help with coping with the pain)
+Physical therapy
+Steroids: At times steroid injections have found to provide relief for a longer duration of time
3. If you choose to keep a carer, then it should be until you can begin to walk and mildly even jog on your own. Which is only possible if you go for ACL reconstruction surgery
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Brief explanation of everything, please revert if anything is unclear ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I would be more than happy to answer each one of your queries:
1. Sciatica is pain that occurs across the region over which the sciatic nerve passes (i.e. from the lower back down until the mid thing or knee region, but the posterior aspect of the leg). It mostly occurs due to a herniated disc, but can also occur due to diabetes, spine abnormalities, streuous exercise, pinched nerve, bone overgrowth, etc.
2. Treatment options include:
+Weight loss if you are overweight or obese
+Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac, tylenol)
+Avoid strenuous exercise that can also cause sciatica
+Muscle relaxants
+Anti-depressants (do not treat depression, but have found to help with coping with the pain)
+Physical therapy
+Steroids: At times steroid injections have found to provide relief for a longer duration of time
3. If you choose to keep a carer, then it should be until you can begin to walk and mildly even jog on your own. Which is only possible if you go for ACL reconstruction surgery
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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