Sciatica Pain Management Doctor Houston

What Is The Sciatica Nerve?

The Sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body. The nerve diverges into the left and right nerves on both sides of the body. It actually extends through the hips and buttocks and continues down the leg, where it ends right below the knee. At the knee, the nerve branches off into other nerves, which continue all the way to the feet. 

Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. Each case of Sciatica can vary in terms of how long it lasts or whether treatment is necessary. Some people only experience pain from Sciatica for about one to two weeks before it clears up on its own. Others will have pain that comes and goes for several years, with multiple episodes of flare-up pain occurring throughout the course of a year. Many people may be able to clear up their pain with at-home care, which includes hot/cold packs, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, and safe stretches. Anyone who cannot see improvements after trying home remedies may need to see a sciatica doctor to manage or alleviate their pain.

When To Contact A Sciatica Doctor

• When your pain is severe or becomes significantly worse and is shooting down your legs

• Numbness, weakness, or tingling legs, buttocks, or genitals

• Loss of bowel or bladder control

• Difficulty with urination

• Fever, unexplained weight loss, or other signs of illness

• It has not started to improve within 7 to 10 days.

• Causes difficulty walking, standing, or moving.

• It is worse at night or worse when you lie down

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While it is possible your pain will clear up on its own, if it is a mild case, you may need to see your doctor if:

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• You do not see improvements in your symptoms after trying home remedies.

• The pain does not go away after one to two weeks.

• Your pain is worse than it has been in the past or starts to intensify over time.

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You should seek immediate medical attention if these situations occur after an accident or injury, such as a severe fall. If you cannot control your bladder or bowels or excruciating pain or muscle weakness originating in your lower back or the legs.

Causes of Sciatia

Pressure or damage to the nerve can occur for a variety of reasons. Sciatica can include:

A bulging or herniated disk that is pressing on the nerve. Discs are the cushions between the vertebrates that make up the spinal column. Disc bulging occurs when the disc extends outside its common space. A disc herniation is when the ‘inner jelly-like substance’ pushes out of the disc because of tears or defects in the outer cartilage layer.

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Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the nerve. It can happen in any part of the spine but most often occurs in the neck and the lower back. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is the type of Stenosis present in the lower back, and the lumbar area comprises five lumbar vertebrae, where Stenosis can set in. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is usually the result of the damages caused by Osteoarthritis. 

Bone spurs also cause the sciatica nerve to become compressed. Bone spurs are essentially an overgrowth of bone, which can occur on the bones that make up the spinal column. Also known as Osteophytes, these growths often start in the joints, which connect the bones, but when the jagged-edged bones occur in the right spot along the spine, they can quickly narrow the space and pinch the spinal cord or nerve roots.