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 the 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 a 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 while a laminotomy
involves partial removal of lamina. These procedures
help in creating more space for the nerves, thus reducing the pressure
or pinching of the nerves. (7) |
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Prevention Methods
Some of the prevention methods for sciatica include:
1. Good Posture: Standing up in a good posture and form
with ears aligned with the shoulders, and shoulders aligned with the hips,
and buttocks tucked in with knees bent slightly.
2. Abdominal Crunches: Abdominal crunches consist of
lying with the 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 if he/she does sleep on the back, place a pillow
under the 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
- Sciatica,
Health A to Z, Aetna, InteliHealth, July 2006.
- Sciatic
Nerve and Sciatica, PatientPlus, Dr Sean
Kavanagh, July 2006.
- What
is Sciatica? Spineuniverse, November
2007.
- Sciatica,
eMedicineHealth, Joseph R Lex, August 2005.
- Sciatica,
MayoClinic.com, April 2006.
- Sciatica
- Non-Surgical Treatments,
Spineuniverse, November 2007.
- Sciatica
- When Surgery is Needed, Spineuniverse,
November 2007.
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