Sciatica

An estimated 40% of people will experience sciatica, which results from sciatic nerve root compression, at some point in their lives. If you experience radiating pain down the back of your leg for weeks without relief, board-certified interventional pain management expert Cyril Philip, MD, offers long-term relief with minimally invasive procedures at Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine in Kenosha and Franklin, Wisconsin. To schedule your consultation for sciatica treatment, call the office or request an appointment online today.

Sciatica Q & A

What is sciatica?

Sciatica, also called lumbar radiculopathy, is a symptom of other conditions, not a condition in itself. It involves pain or a sense of tingling that radiates through your left or right buttock and down the back of the corresponding leg. It tends to only affect one side at a time.

Sciatica affects the sciatic nerve, a nerve that starts in your lumbar spine and travels down the leg. Your sciatic nerves (one on each side) are the longest nerves in your body.

If you have sciatica, you might notice that your symptoms get worse or flare up when you change your posture. This includes bending down, twisting your back, standing up, and laying down. However, you might find some relief when walking around.

​​​​​​​What causes sciatica?

Sciatica happens because of sciatic nerve irritation or compression. There are a number of conditions and structural issues within the spine that can cause sciatica, including:

• Herniated discs

• Degenerative disc disease

• Lumbar spinal stenosis

• Spondylolisthesis

• Muscle spasms

• Pregnancy

• Spinal injuries

Other more serious causes, like spinal tumors, are extremely rare. Dr. Philip may view your spine with X-ray imaging if your sciatica persists for many weeks to see what’s causing the compression.

What are my options for sciatica treatment?

Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine offers the latest and most advanced minimally invasive options for sciatica relief. To relieve pressure from your sciatic nerve and ease your pain, Dr. Philip may recommend:

Spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation involves an implanted device that blocks pain signals from specific nerves. You receive a remote control with your spinal cord stimulator that allows you to activate it when your sciatica flares up. This option is typically reserved for cases when other sciatica treatments have not provided long-term relief.

Epidural steroid injections

Epidural steroid injections are injections that Dr. Philip places in the epidural space around your spine, in this case near your sciatic nerve root. The corticosteroid in the injection eases inflammation to relieve pressure from the nerve.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive X-ray-guided procedure involving the cauterization of a targeted nerve. Pulses of energy from a probe inserted through a minor incision temporarily prevent the nerve from transmitting pain signals.
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Sciatica may not need medical intervention if it only lasts for a few days or weeks, but chronic sciatica is treatable without surgery. To learn more about minimally invasive sciatica treatment, call Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine or request an appointment online today.