Sciatica

Sciatica is pain and/or burning, tingling, numbness or weakness that travels from the lower back, buttocks and down the back of the leg. The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body and is composed of individual nerve roots that branch out from the spine in the lower back. Sciatica occurs when a herniated disc, which occurs when the inner core of a disk pokes through the outer core, spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal that can lead to added pressure on the sciatic nerve, a degenerated or weakened disc that releases inflammatory proteins, a protruding disk, when the soft inner core of a disc presses against a tear or weakness in the outer disc layer, or an inflamed sacroiliac joint (at the base of the spine and pelvis) pinches or inflames the sciatic nerve.

The risk of developing sciatica can increase with age, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes. In addition, individuals with jobs that require repeated back twisting, carrying heavy objects, or extended periods of driving are more likely to develop sciatica.

Treatment Options
Non-surgical treatments for sciatica include: back exercises and stretching, heat and ice treatments, over-the-counter pain medication and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naprosyn, prescription medications (pain killers and oral steroids), epidural injections (injecting steroids directly into the painful area around the sciatic nerve), acupuncture (inserting tiny needles into the skin), massage therapy, and spinal adjustments (performed by chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, or physical therapists).

If the sciatic pain is severe and does not resolve itself with non-surgical treatments, orthopedic spine surgery such as a laminectomy or a procedure known as a microdiscectomy can be used to treat disc herniation using minimally invasive techniques to remove small portions of the problematic disc(s).

Both laminectomies and discectomies are procedures that are often performed using “open” or minimally invasive surgical techniques. Open laminectomies or discectomies involve a large incision and require spine surgeons to strip the muscles away from the spinal column in order to locate and treat the affected area. In contrast, minimally invasive procedures use multiples small incisions in order to tunnel through the back muscles to reach the affected area.

Selective Endoscopic Discectomy™ (SED™) is a minimally invasive technique that utilizes an endoscope (a small tube with a camera mounted on the end) and several small instruments that allow surgeons to treat the herniated, protruding, or degenerated discs that cause the pain from sciatica. The SED procedure uses a keyhole-shaped incision and allows the surgeon to dilate, not cut the muscles and tissues surrounding the affected disc. The surgeon can then remove the problematic portion of the disk with less tissue destruction and minimal trauma to the body, which leads to benefits such as less pain and quicker recovery times after surgery. The SED procedure typically allows patients to require less post - surgical rehabilitation time than other forms of discectomy surgeries.

Desert Institute For Spine Care
1635 E. Myrtle
Suite 400
Phoenix AZ 85020
602-944-2900

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