Causes and Treatments for Sciatica

More than 3 million Americans will suffer from Sciatica pain each year. Sciatica is the term for pain felt, when pressure is put on the root of the sciatic nerve, often due to a condition, injury, or disease affecting the vertebra of the spine. This compression of the nerve is known as radiculopathy, and originates in the spine, but is felt as pain in the leg, as it radiates along the sciatic nerve down the back of the leg.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica (AKA Sciatic pain) is caused by compression on the Sciatic nerve. Compression on the Sciatic nerve is often caused by one of several spinalconditions including:

• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Herniated Lumbar Disc
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis

Sciatica may also be caused by factors and/or diseases such as infection, scar tissue, tumors, muscle strain, pregnancy, and fractures.

As a top Los Angeles spine surgeon, Dr. K. Rad Payman can help you to get relief from Sciatica, prescribing a customized treatment plan which may include conservative treatments such as over the counter pain relievers, ice, and specific exercises. However, in other cases, conservative treatments will prove ineffective at relieving Sciatic pain, because the pain is the result of a more serious condition. In these cases, spinal surgerymay be required.

What Surgical Treatments are Available for Sciatica in Los Angeles?

Surgery for Sciatica will be recommended by top Los Angeles Spine Surgeon, Dr. K. Rad Payman only if conservative, nonsurgical treatments fail to provide necessary relief. When surgery for Sciatica is necessary, one of the following procedures will be required.

Microdiscectomy/Microdecompression

If the cause of your Sciatic nerve pain is due to a herniation in a lumbar disc, Dr. K. Rad Payman may need to perform a surgical procedure known as a microdiscectomy or a microdecompression. During this minimally invasive surgery, Dr. K. Rad Payman will remove a small part of the bone, which is pressing on top of the nerve root, or remove a small part of disc material underneath the nerve root. The goal for either is the same: to alleviate the compression on the Sciatic nerve which is causing the pain.

Lumbar Spinal Fusion

If your Sciatica is the result of severe degenerative disc disease, or spondylolisthesis, the most common surgical procedure is a spinal fusion. During a spinal fusion, which in some cases can be done using minimally invasive surgical techniques, Dr. K. Rad Payman will place a bone graft between vertebrae to promote bone growth, thereby eventuallyfusing the two structures. The graft that is inserted will also stabilize the spine and help to maintain normal disc height.

Lumbar Laminectomy

If you are suffering from Sciatica due to lumbar stenosis (narrowing of the space around the spine) a laminectomy may be necessary. Stenosis can be caused by degeneration of facet joints and the intervertebral discs, which become enlarged as the result of arthritis. Alternately, the development of bone spurs may lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal, and ultimately put pressure on the Sciatic nerve. During a laminectomy, Dr. K. Rad Payman will remove the bone and other material that is narrowing the canal, causing excess pressure on the Sciatic nerve.

If you're suffering from Sciatic pain, Dr. K. Rad Payman is here to help. Using the most advanced surgical techniques to treat spinal conditions, diseases and disorders, Dr K. Rad Payman specializes in minimally invasive and microsurgical spinal procedures. To schedule a consultation to treat your Sciatica back pain, please call 818.501.2001