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[TD="class: topPad"]Mkuu Matatizo yako ni mshipa wa nyonga unaoanzia kiuno ,mapaja mpaka unashuka chini kwenye mguu
Sciatica Treatment
Epidural Cortisone Injections for Sciatica From Herniated Disc...Beneficial?
Medical Author:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
A majority of patients with sciatica from disc herniation have resolution of their pain with various conservative measures, including antiinflammatory and muscle-relaxant medications, exercises, physical therapy, and time. However, some 10%-15% of affected patients require surgical procedures to relieve the pain.
In recent decades, cortisone medications have been injected into the space around the spinal cord (epidural space) to reduce the inflammation and swelling of the disc herniation, thereby relieving irritation of the adjacent nerves. It has never been certain as to whether this procedure (epidural injection) can actually reduce the need for surgery.
Learn more about cortisone injections for the treatment of sciatica »
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain in the lower extremity resulting from irritation of the
sciatic nerve. The pain of sciatica is typically felt from the
low back (lumbar area) to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and begins from nerve roots in the lumbar
spinal cord in the low back and extends through the buttock area to send nerve endings down the lower limb. The pain of sciatica is sometimes referred to as sciatic nerve pain.
What are causes of sciatica?
While sciatica is most commonly a result of a lumbar
disc herniationdirectly pressing on the nerve, any cause of irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve can reproduce the symptoms of sciatica. This irritation of nerves as a result of an abnormal intervertebral disc is referred to as
radiculopathy. Aside from a
pinched nerve from a disc, other causes of sciatica include irritation of the nerve from adjacent bone, tumors, muscle,
internal bleeding, infections, injury, and other causes. Sometimes sciatica can occur because of irritation of the sciatic nerve during
pregnancy.
Picture of a herniated disc, a common cause of sciatica
What are sciatica symptoms?
Sciatica causes pain, a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back and upper buttock down the back of the thigh to the back of the leg. The result is
leg pain. Sometimes the pain radiates around the hip or buttock to feel like
hip pain. While sciatica is often associated with
lower back pain (lumbago), it can be present without low back pain. Severe sciatica can make
walking difficult if not impossible. Sometimes the symptoms of sciatica are aggravated by walking or bending at the waist and relieved by lying down. The pain relief by changing positions can be partial or complete.
How is sciatica diagnosed?
Sciatica is diagnosed with a physical exam and medical history. The typical symptoms and certain examination maneuvers help the health-care practitioner to diagnose sciatica. Sometimes, X-rays, films, and other tests, such as
CT scan,
MRI scan, and
electromyogram, are used to further define the exact causes of sciatica.
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Source:
Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Pain) Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, Therapy and Diagnosis by MedicineNet.com