Sciatica and Nerve Pain: What’s Causing It and How to Treat It?

Have you ever experienced a sharp, shooting pain that travels from your lower back down your leg? Or a constant tingling sensation along your hip? If so, you may be experiencing sciatica, a type of nerve pain that affects many individuals globally.

Understanding what causes sciatica, its treatment and finding the best spine surgeon in Hyderabad and receiving utmost care can make all the difference in your mobility and quality of life.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is the pain that comes from the sciatic nerve, which is the longest and thickest nerve in your body. This nerve begins in the lower back, moves through the hips and buttocks, and ends in each leg.

Also Read: When to See a Spine Specialist: 7 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Various symptoms can be caused by irritation or compression of sciatic nerve, including:

• A Sharp pain in either the lower back or leg
• Burning or tingling sensations
• A feeling of Numbness/weakness in the leg/foot
• Pain that increases when sitting or standing
• Difficulty in walking or moving the affected leg

To effectively treat nerve irritation, it is crucial to recognize the underlying cause.

What Are the Causes of Sciatica and Nerve Pain?

Various conditions can lead to the compression of the sciatic nerve. Among the most prevalent causes are:

Herniated or Slipped Disc:

This condition is the leading cause of sciatica. The spine consists of vertebrae that are separated by soft discs which act as cushions. When one of these discs either ruptures or bulges outward, it exerts pressure on the surrounding nerves, including the sciatic nerve.

Symptoms associated with a herniated or slipped disc include sudden pain that occurs after lifting or twisting, localized pain on one side of the body, and numbness or weakness in the leg.

Spinal Stenosis:

It happens when the space inside your spine gets smaller, usually due to aging, arthritis, or extra bone growth. This can put pressure on the nerves in your lower back, which includes the sciatic nerve. It starts slowly and may cause:

• Standing or walking for long periods can cause discomfort or pain
• Feeling numb, tingling, or cramping in your legs
  

Piriformis Syndrome:

The piriformis is a tiny muscle situated deep in your buttocks, near the sciatic nerve. When this muscle becomes strained, inflamed, or tight, it can press on the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain that resembles sciatica. It usually happens due to poor posture and sitting for too long without breaks. Common symptoms include

• A deep pain in the buttocks, especially when sitting down.
• Pain that goes down the leg, but not usually in the lower back
• Pain that worsens with running, climbing stairs, or long periods of sitting
  

Spondylolisthesis

A spinal condition occurs when one of the vertebrae (the small bones in your spine) slips over the one below it. This shift can cause pressure on nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve, which can cause pain and other symptoms like

• Repetitive stress or overuse (common in young athletes like gymnasts or football players)
• Stress fractures in the vertebrae, especially in young athletes.
• Degeneration of spinal joints and discs due to age
• Congenital anomalies (a vertebra that did not develop correctly at birth)
• Injuries or trauma to the spine resulting from falls or accidents
• Arthritis or other spinal disorders that compromise the integrity of bones and joints
  

Injury or Trauma

Traumatic incidents such as falls, accidents, or impacts from sports can harm the spine or pelvis, thereby affecting the sciatic nerve. Fractures, dislocations, or muscle injuries  near the sciatic nerve may result in pain.

Tumors and Infections

Tumors, whether malignant or benign, located in the spine or adjacent to the sciatic nerve can exert pressure on the nerve roots, although such occurrences are infrequent. Likewise, infections like spinal abscesses (accumulation of pus within the spinal canal) or vertebral osteomyelitis (infection affecting the vertebral bone and disc space) can induce inflammation and compress the nerve, resulting in pain.

Also Read: 5 Daily Habits for a Healthy Spine

Diagnostics of Sciatica and Nerve Pain

To accurately diagnose sciatica and nerve pain,  it is important to have a thorough medical history and physical examination. The doctor will inquire about symptoms, which include the location, intensity, and duration of pain, as well as any factors that may worsen or relieve it

During the physical exam, the doctor will assess muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation in the legs to identify nerve involvement. If the diagnosis is unclear or symptoms are severe or persistent, imaging tests may be required:

• X-rays: Help detect bone problems, such as fractures or spondylolisthesis (vertebra slipping).
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Provides detailed images of soft tissues like discs, nerves, and muscles. It helps identify herniated discs, nerve compression, tumors, or infections.
• CT Scan: Offers cross-sectional images of the spine and can be used with contrast dye to highlight nerve roots.
• Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies: These tests evaluate the electrical activity of muscles and nerves to pinpoint nerve damage or irritation.
• Blood Tests: Sometimes recommended when an infection or inflammatory condition is suspected.

Treatment of Sciatica and Nerve Pain:

The good news is that most cases of sciatica improve with non-surgical treatments. However, if symptoms are severe or persist, surgical options may be considered.

Non-Surgical Treatments:

• Medications: Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, or muscle relaxants
• Physical therapy: Exercises to improve flexibility, posture, and strength
• Lifestyle modifications: Avoid sitting for long periods and maintain good posture.
• Heat/Ice therapy: Helps reduce inflammation and relax tight muscles
• Epidural steroid injections: Targeted relief for severe inflammation

Surgical Treatments:

If non-surgical options fail and nerve compression is severe, spine surgery may be recommended. Common procedures include:

• Microdiscectomy: Removal of the herniated part of a disc pressing on a nerve
• Laminectomy: Removal of bone to relieve spinal stenosis

Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A minimally invasive technique that allows for quicker recovery.

Living Well After Sciatica

Recovery from sciatica doesn’t end with treatment. Long-term success depends on lifestyle changes and prevention:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay physically active
• Practice good posture when sitting or lifting
• Stretch regularly, especially if you sit for long hours
• Follow your doctor’s rehabilitation plan after surgery to heal properly

Finding the Right Spine Care in Hyderabad

When addressing spine-related concerns such as sciatica or nerve pain, obtaining appropriate care is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. At Omega Hospitals in Hyderabad, we are dedicated to delivering comprehensive spine care with a focus on the patient.

Our  team comprises skilled orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, pain management specialists, and physiotherapists who collaboratively work to develop individualized treatment plans suited to each patient’s unique condition. We utilize the most advanced diagnostic tools, including MRI, CT scans, and nerve conduction studies, to precisely determine the underlying cause of your nerve pain or sciatica.

We prioritize initiating treatment with conservative methods such as medications and physical therapy to alleviate pain and enhance functionality. Whenever required, we provide advanced minimally invasive procedures and Spine Surgery in Hyderabad to achieve best results.

At Omega Hospitals, we also place a strong emphasis on patient education and rehabilitation, assisting you not only in recovery but also in making lifestyle adjustments to prevent future spine issues. 

If you are in search of the best spine surgeon in Hyderabad, Omega Hospitals is ready to assist you on your path to pain relief and improved quality of life.