Sciatica

Pain that travels from the lower back into the back of the leg is a symptom of sciatica, a nerve pain condition. The experienced team at Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas in Rockwall, Wylie, Forney, and Terrell, Texas, takes a patient-centered approach to treating sciatica, creating plans that ease your discomfort and lower your risk of recurrence. Call the office closest to you today or click the online booking button to schedule your sciatica consultation.

I have sharp pain that shoots down my leg. Do I have sciatica?

Sharp, shooting pain that travels down the back of your leg on one side of the body is a common symptom of sciatica. The pain occurs from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest, thickest nerve in your body. 

The sciatic nerve is made up of several nerve roots that exit at different points from the lumbar and sacral spine. These nerve roots travel into your hip, join together in the buttocks, and run down the back of the leg on both sides of the body. 

Irritation or compression along any part of the sciatic nerve causes the painful sensations associated with sciatica. 

What causes sciatica?

Any condition that affects the sciatic nerve may cause sciatica. Most causes originate from conditions involving the spine, such as:

• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Arthritis

You may develop sciatica after a traumatic injury or from degenerative changes to the spine that occur as you get older. Anyone can develop sciatica, but it most often occurs in adults between ages 30 and 50.

What can I expect during an evaluation for sciatica?

You can expect a patient-centered evaluation for your sciatica from the team at Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas. 

They ask detailed questions about your symptoms, including when they started and the activities that make them worse. They review your medical history and perform a physical exam. 

Your provider can diagnose sciatica after a history and physical but may order imaging tests to confirm or rule out the cause of your pain. 

What treatments can improve my sciatica?

It may take some time, but you can recover from your sciatica with nonsurgical interventions. The team at Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas talks to you about your condition and works with you to create a treatment plan that reduces and eliminates your pain.

Treatments for sciatica may include:

• Activity modification
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• At-home exercise and stretching program
• Spinal injections

If your symptoms persist or the team suspects you have nerve damage, they may recommend surgery to treat the underlying cause of your sciatica. Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas uses the latest technologies and guidelines so you get the best outcomes.

Call Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas today or schedule your sciatica consultation online.