You shouldn’t have to live every day in pain. Talk to an orthopedic doctor about your treatment options.
Sciatica is a type of lower back and spine pain that can carry through to the night, causing you to lose sleep. It can happen in most people over the age of 40, but if you think you are struggling with sciatica, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Schedule an appointment with one of the New York City orthopedic surgeons at Island Musculoskeletal Care (IMC Bone Doc) today.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is nerve pain that stretches down the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower back and continues down through to each leg. Although the nerve extends through both legs, people who suffer from sciatica will feel pain in only one leg. It is rare to feel symptoms in both legs. Instead, the pain can be felt down the lower back, through to your thigh, calf, and into your foot. Symptoms also include numbness, tingling, and the sensation of pins and needles.
What kind of doctor should I see if I have sciatica?
There are several different causes of sciatica, which play a role in determining the best doctor for sciatica nerve pain. For example, an orthopedic specialist focuses on the bones, joints, and muscles that may be causing sciatic nerve pain, such as herniated discs or spinal alignment issues. A neurologist, on the other hand, examines how nerve damage or conditions affecting the nervous system contribute to sciatica. Both play different roles, but together they can provide a clearer picture of the root cause.
Can an orthopedic doctor treat sciatica?
The pain sciatica causes can make it difficult to do everyday tasks like sitting and standing and can make it difficult to move your legs and feet. Treatment will depend on the severity of your sciatica. If your sciatica is minor, successful treatments might include:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Heat and ice therapy
- Stretches and exercise
Sometimes nonsurgical procedures are not enough to treat sciatica. An orthopedic doctor might recommend any of the following surgeries:
- Foraminotomy surgery – This surgery enlarges the area of a bone in your spinal column to relieve pressure on your nerves.
- Discectomy surgery – If your sciatica was caused by a herniated disc, this procedure will remove that disc to relieve nerve compression.
- Laminotomy – This surgery will remove the back part of your spinal bone that is putting pressure on a specific area.
Get the treatment you need from an experienced orthopedic surgeon.
Everyone has a different pain tolerance. For example, someone with sciatica could be treated with medications, while another person may need surgery. Contact us to make an appointment to explore your options and figure out the best medical treatment for you. We have seven offices located in New York City and Long Island, including The Bronx, Brooklyn, Deer Park, Patchogue, Queens, Shirley, and Valley Stream.
