Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. It is typically caused by compression or irritation of one or more of the lumbar nerve roots that make up the sciatic nerve. The pain from sciatica can range from mild to extremely painful and debilitating, greatly impacting a person’s quality of life and ability to carry out daily activities.
Sciatica is relatively common, affecting around 40% of people at some point in their lives. It is most prevalent in people between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. For most patients, sciatica pain is acute, meaning it lasts for a short period of time and goes away with conservative treatment methods. However, for some, the condition can become chronic, lasting for many months or even years, greatly diminishing their functional abilities and quality of life.
Understanding the Sciatic Nerve
The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve running from the lower spinal cord, through the buttock area and down the back of each leg to the foot. It controls sensation and strength of the leg muscles. It is formed by the combination of nerve roots from the lumbosacral spine, mainly L4-S3 nerve roots.
There are several potential causes leading to sciatic nerve pain and inflammation, including a herniated disc, bone spurs, narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), spondylolisthesis, piriformis syndrome, injury or external pressure on the nerve roots. A herniated disc is the most common cause, where the jelly-like center of the disc pushes out and irritates or presses on the adjacent nerve root.
Conservative Treatment for Sciatica
For patients with mild to moderate sciatica pain, conservative non-surgical interventions are recommended as the first line of treatment. These aim to reduce inflammation and alleviate pressure on the affected nerve roots.
Common conservative treatments include:
| Treatment | Description |
| Medications | Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium) and muscle relaxants help relieve mild pain and inflammation. Prescription medications like gabapentin also help reduce neuropathic nerve pain. |
| Epidural steroid injections | These injections deliver anti-inflammatory corticosteroid medication directly into the epidural space surrounding the spinal nerve roots, providing localized pain relief. They are effective for acute pain flares. |
| Physical therapy | Stretching, exercise, massage, heat or cold therapies help reduce muscle tension, strengthen core muscles of the spine, improving flexibility and posture, and decrease pressure on nerve roots. |
| Alternative therapies | Acupuncture, yoga, aquatic therapy, spinal manipulation can also provide pain relief for some patients. Nerve blocks temporarily numb the affected nerve. |
Most patients with mild to moderate sciatica fully recover with these conservative treatments within 6-12 weeks. Refractory cases may require surgical intervention if the pain becomes disabling.
When is Sciatica Surgery Necessary?
For the majority of sciatica patients, symptoms resolve within a few weeks or months using conservative treatment methods. However, for approximately 10-15% of patients, the leg pain can become severe and debilitating, greatly impacting their daily functions and quality of life.
Surgery may be considered if:
- Severe leg pain persists beyond 12 weeks despite extensive conservative therapies
- There is progressive neurological deficit – numbness, weakness in leg muscles
- Cauda equina syndrome develops – loss of bowel or bladder control
- The underlying cause is spinal tumor, infection, fracture requiring surgery
- Sciatica is associated with significant spinal instability
The decision for surgery is made after careful analysis of the risks vs. benefits for that individual patient. Surgery aims to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve roots by removing disc herniation or bony structures impinging the nerve roots. Timely surgery leads to faster relief from disabling leg pain.
Types of Sciatica Surgery
The most common surgical procedures for sciatica include:
- Microdiscectomy: This is the most frequently performed surgery for a lumbar herniated disc compressing the sciatic nerve root. It involves making a small 1-2cm incision and using a surgical microscope to remove just the portion of the herniated disc causing nerve compression. This minimally invasive outpatient procedure provides faster relief of leg pain with minimal recovery time.
- Laminectomy: This procedure removes the lamina (back part) of the vertebrae to widen the spinal canal space if there is spinal stenosis pinching the nerve from both sides. It involves a larger 3-4 cm incision but requires no fusion. Recovery takes 2-3 weeks.
- Discectomy with Spinal Fusion: If there is severe disc degeneration, this procedure removes the disc and fuses two or more vertebrae together for stabilization using metal screws and rods. The fusion promotes bone growth between the vertebrae. Recovery can take 2-3 months.
Less common procedures include foraminotomy to widen the nerve root exit and percutaneous endoscopic discectomy through a very small incision using an endoscope. The choice depends on the individual patient’s condition.
Pre-Surgery Considerations
Before undergoing surgery for sciatica, it is important to have a clear diagnosis of the underlying cause and localization of the compressed nerve root. MRI and CT scans allow detailed visualization of the lumbar spine anatomy and nerve structures. Electromyography assesses nerve function.
Consulting with an experienced spine surgeon is essential before considering surgery. The surgeon will perform a thorough physical exam, review scans and tests, discuss all surgical and non-surgical options, potential benefits, risks and realistic outcomes. This helps the patient make an informed decision based on their individual situation.
Personal preferences like trying to avoid surgery, financial considerations, expectations, occupation, disability status and other responsibilities must be weighed before deciding on surgery and the optimal timing for it. Quality of life is an important factor.
Risks and Complications of Sciatica Surgery
While surgery is generally safe, there are some risks and potential complications:
- Bleeding, blood clots, infection
- Nerve injury or paralysis if nerves are damaged during surgery
- CSF leak
- Injury to abdominal organs, blood vessels or muscles
- Heart attack, stroke and anesthesia-related risks
- Failed back surgery syndrome if pain persists or recurs from scarring
- Need for additional surgeries or spinal fusion later
Proper pre-op assessment, using minimally invasive techniques, antibiotics and anti-thrombotic stockings minimize risks. Close monitoring after surgery is vital. Results are best when surgery is done by an experienced surgeon.
Post-Surgery Recovery
The first 1-2 weeks after surgery focus on pain management and slowly increasing mobility to prevent blood clots. Post-surgical fatigue and back discomfort are common. Strenuous physical activities must be avoided during the recovery period.
Most patients are able to start walking within 1-2 days, drive within 2-3 weeks and can return to light daily activities after 2-4 weeks. Stitches or staples are removed 10-14 days after laminectomy or microdiscectomy procedures.
Complete recovery can take about 6-12 weeks. Physical therapy is customized to strengthen core muscles, improve balance and gait training. This facilitates faster recovery and reduces risk of recurrence. Close follow up helps monitor progress milestones.
Final Thoughts
Sciatica can cause mild to disabling leg pain that greatly impacts quality of life. While most patients improve with conservative treatments, some require surgery to alleviate severe or persistent nerve compression causing debilitating pain.
It is important to fully understand the pros and cons of available surgical and non-surgical options. Expert spine specialist evaluation guides appropriate treatment customized to each patient based on the underlying diagnosis, spine pathology, risks, expected benefits and other individual preferences.
The ultimate goal is substantial pain alleviation and maximal restoration of physical function and well-being. Patients are encouraged to utilize all available resources, including sites like Kaly, to become well-informed, get connected with top specialists and make the best personalized treatment decisions for optimal sciatica outcomes.