Is sciatica keeping you sidelined?

The season is ripe for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and golfing, with the scent of orange blossoms filling the air and spring training in full swing. However, if you are one of the estimated 40 percent of people who suffer from sciatic nerve pain, you may not be able to enjoy these activities due to the excruciating pain that radiates from your lower back down to your leg, accompanied by numbness and tingling. 

Pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause this pain, and various factors may be responsible, including a ruptured disc, spinal stenosis, or a bone spur. While over-the-counter medications, rest, ice, and heat can alleviate mild sciatic pain, it's best to seek professional help if the pain persists. 

Dr. Parul Goel can accurately diagnose the source of your sciatica and recommend appropriate treatment options. One of the treatments she may suggest is a selective nerve root block, which delivers medication to the nerve root that's causing pain signals. This medication includes a steroid to reduce inflammation and a numbing agent to alleviate pain. 

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and involves lying on your stomach while a local anesthetic is administered to numb the area where the needle will be inserted. Depending on your preference, you may also receive intravenous sedation. Surgery is typically not necessary for sciatica unless your symptoms are severe and unresponsive to other treatments, or if you experience sudden and severe pain, weakness, or loss of feeling in your leg, or loss of bowel or bladder control.

Get the help you need. 

If you’re suffering from sciatica, pain relief is possible! For more information on the best treatment for your pain, schedule a consultation  with Dr. Parul Goel at Barrow Brain and Spine or call (602) 745-2930.