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How Can Sciatica In The Lower Back Be Treated?
I have severe degenerative disc disease. I ve had a laminectomy w/fusion and a bone graph on my tail bone. I m to see a Neurosurgion for my neck before symptoms get worse. I was told that if I didn t I could lose the use of both arms. Also I have developed sciatica in my lower left back, hip area and down my leg to the knee. I m on 30mg of morphine 3 tid. It was suggested that I do a trial morphine pump. Is there anything that I could do besides having any other surgeries?
Wed, 31 May 2017
Hi, thanks for using Healthcare Magic.
I understand your concern.
Sciatica is a pain caused by a damaged or pinched nerve. The pelvic nerve is the longest nerve present in the body, starting from the hips and lower spine to the back of the foot. Sciatica is a symptom of a neurological disease, not a separate disease, and usually disappears after 4-8 weeks of treatment.
There are many risk factors of this disease such as:
1. Old age: The aging condition of the spine is like a common cause of sciatica
2. Overweight: Overweight increases the pressure on the spine that contributes to sciatica
3. Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk of nerve damage
4. Sitting long or not moving: Sitting too long and not moving can increase the likelihood of getting sciatica
Treatment for sciatica depends on the cause and level of pain. In some cases, you can recover without treatment.
Some tips for you:
1. Compress with hot or cold water at a swollen location.
2. You can use drugs such as anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Your doctor can give you muscle relaxation treatment, steroids, or steroid epidural injections.
3. If you feel severe pain, you need a much heavier, narcotic treatment, for a short period of time. (You can discuss it with your treating doctor)
4. Do massage treatment to reduce aches and tingling in the muscles.
Regards,
dr. Nurul Falah
I understand your concern.
Sciatica is a pain caused by a damaged or pinched nerve. The pelvic nerve is the longest nerve present in the body, starting from the hips and lower spine to the back of the foot. Sciatica is a symptom of a neurological disease, not a separate disease, and usually disappears after 4-8 weeks of treatment.
There are many risk factors of this disease such as:
1. Old age: The aging condition of the spine is like a common cause of sciatica
2. Overweight: Overweight increases the pressure on the spine that contributes to sciatica
3. Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk of nerve damage
4. Sitting long or not moving: Sitting too long and not moving can increase the likelihood of getting sciatica
Treatment for sciatica depends on the cause and level of pain. In some cases, you can recover without treatment.
Some tips for you:
1. Compress with hot or cold water at a swollen location.
2. You can use drugs such as anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Your doctor can give you muscle relaxation treatment, steroids, or steroid epidural injections.
3. If you feel severe pain, you need a much heavier, narcotic treatment, for a short period of time. (You can discuss it with your treating doctor)
4. Do massage treatment to reduce aches and tingling in the muscles.
Regards,
dr. Nurul Falah
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