Sciatica Specialist

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is any type of inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is located in your lower back and extends down the back of your legs to your feet.

Sciatica causes excruciating pain in your lower back, buttocks, and legs. The pain can be one-sided, which is most common, or in severe cases, can be felt on both sides of your lower back, buttocks, or legs.

The pain can be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and weakness that makes bending, tying your shoes, and walking unbearable.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica has many causes, including:

• Tight muscles
• Poor posture
• Obesity
• Piriformis syndrome
• Facet syndrome
• Foraminal stenosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Herniated disc

How is sciatica diagnosed?

Dr. Mader thoroughly explores your history and examines you through a series of tests checking your movement, flexibility, muscles, and joints. Some conditions require more extensive testing, such as X-rays or MRIs, which Dr. Mader performs and evaluates.

What treatment options are available for sciatica?

At United Spine and Joint Center, Dr. Mader provides comprehensive treatment options to eliminate your pain. Conservative methods include exercise-based physical therapy to improve spinal strength and function.

For more severe sciatic pain, Dr. Mader utilizes oral steroids or epidural steroid injections which decrease inflammation in the affected area to relieve pain.

How long does it take to recover from sciatica?

Recovery from sciatica will depend on the cause. For muscle-based causes, you will typically feel better within a couple of weeks. More serious issues, such as disc herniation or spinal stenosis, take longer to heal due to their chronic nature.

There’s no reason to suffer from sciatica when treatment options are available at United Spine and Joint Center. Call or book now to schedule your consultation and return to a pain-free life.