Sciatica Treatment & Prevention Options

Conditions & Diseases: Brain & Nervous System

Sciatica

Sciatic Nerve Treatment & Prevention Options

Treatment Options:
Treatment is classified by:

1. Medication
2. Surgery

Medication:
Initially, Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID’s) such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be prescribed. Simple over the counter drugs such as acetaminophen or aspirin may be used for pain and inflammation. Chronic nerve pain is treated with amitriptyline or gabapentin. Severe pain may be treated by narcotics such as Codeine, Vicodin and Morphine (1) & (4).

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs) help in placing corticosteroid medicine near spinal nerve roots, which reduces the nerve inflammation and pain for a few months (6).

Surgery:
There are two types of surgery which include:

1. Disectomy: This procedure involves part removal or total removal of ruptured disc in order to relieve nerve compression.

2. Laminectomy or Laminotomy: In laminectomy the entire lamina (i.e., bony plate protecting the spinal canal and spinal cord) is removed. The laminotomy involves part removal of lamina. These procedures help in creating more space for the nerves, thus reducing the pressure or pinching of nerves (7).

Prevention Methods

Some of the prevention methods for sciatica include:

1. Good Posture: Standing up in good posture with ears aligned with shoulders and shoulders aligned with hips and buttocks tucked in with knees bent slightly.

2. Abdominal Crunches: Abdominal crunches consist of lying with back on the floor, hands behind the head and knees bent pressing the lower back to floor shoulders are lifted up about 10 inches from the floor and then lowered. This exercise must be performed 10 to 20 times daily. These exercises help in supporting the lower back.

3. Walking or Swimming: Walking or swimming can straighten the lower back.

4. Lifting of objects: Objects should never be lifted with a straight back.

5. Sitting or Standing: Sitting or standing for extended periods must be avoided.

6. Sleeping Posture: Patient should sleep sideways to avoid pressure on back or sleep on back with pillow under knees.

7. High Heels: Shoes with heels more than 1½ inches high must be avoided (1).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

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