Is Surgery The Quickest Way to Achieve Sciatica Relief?
Sciatica is caused when the sciatic nerve is pinched. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back into your hips and buttocks and into each leg. Often a herniated disk in your spine is the culprit although it can also be caused by a bone spur on your vertebrae.
In some rare cases, the nerve compression could be caused by damage due to conditions such as diabetes or a tumor. It can be very painful and interfere with your activity level and quality of life. If you suffer from sciatica, you might be looking for the quickest possible relief. Here we explore possible treatments, including surgery.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SCIATICA?
The most common symptom of sciatica is pain from your lower spine radiating through the buttocks and down the back of your leg. It can be very distinct pain, an ache or even a burning sensation. Some describe their pain as excruciating while others experience sudden jolts like a shock. Sitting for long periods can aggravate symptoms that tend to only affect one side of your body. Other symptoms include:
Numbness
Tingling
Muscle weakness
Pain in the area when you sneeze or cough
Many people experience a combination of symptoms while others might be isolated to pain or numbness.
WHAT ARE COMMON SCIATICA TREATMENTS?
Once sciatica is confirmed, your doctor will explore your treatment options. This often requires a multidisciplinary approach using physical therapy, medications, therapeutic injections, and alternative therapies to find the right combination to alleviate or eliminate pain. Most doctors prefer to find a non-surgical treatment before they will recommend surgery.
WHEN IS SURGERY RECOMMENDED?
Surgery is recommended when patients meet any of the following criteria:
Failure to respond to other treatments over a six to eight week period
Presentation of worsening symptoms such as numbness and/or weakness
When symptoms interfere with daily activities
The presence of a condition that can be successfully treated by surgery such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis
The presence of a cyst, tumor, or spinal cord compression
Your doctor will recommend initial treatments, track progress, and reassess your symptoms and causes before recommending surgery for sciatica.
DOES SURGERY FOR SCIATICA WORK?
Studies have shown that patients who undergo surgery can see better outcomes than patients who use non-surgical treatments. However, it depends on proper diagnosis, so the right type of surgery is performed. The medical cause of sciatica determines possible outcomes while ensuring the right procedure is performed. As well, studies also show that one to two years following surgical and non-surgical treatments patients in the long-term see the same results.
WHAT TYPES OF SURGERY ARE USED TO TREAT SCIATICA?
As mentioned above the surgery recommended is based on the underlying cause of sciatica. For some microdiscectomy is required to remedy herniated discs while in other cases laminectomies are recommended for spinal stenosis. Surgeons prefer to find less invasive procedures as it allows patients to heal faster while reducing the risk for complications post-surgery. Endoscopically guided procedures also reduce risks compared to open surgeries.
WHAT IS A MICRODISCECTOMY?
Also known as a discectomy, this procedure removes herniated disc material causing the symptoms. Only the portion of the disc causing pressure is removed, leaving the disc intact. It can be very effective in alleviating leg pain, tingling and numbness.
WHAT IS A LAMINECTOMY?
A laminectomy is designed to widen the spinal canal to create more space for nerves. The surgeon trims the lamina of the vertebra to alleviate weakness, pain, and numbness caused by spinal stenosis.
HOW LONG IS RECOVERY?
Complications are very uncommon for these types of surgeries. There is limited risk for nerve damage, infection or blood clots. In most cases, patients can usually return to work or daily activities free of any strenuous activity within two to four weeks. Within six to eight weeks, patients can resume physically strenuous activity. Although your healing will be gradual, you should be able to sit up and walk within 24 hours. Pain medications can help manage postoperative pain and following your surgeon’s instructions is the best way to see a speedy recovery.
