SCIATICA
About Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes injured or irritated and results in pain in the buttocks/gluteal area. The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body and is made up of five nerve roots: two are located in the lower back region called the lumbar spine and 3 are located at the bottom section of the spine called the sacrum.
What Causes Sciatica?
Different conditions can cause irritation, pinching, or compression to the sciatic nerve, this includes:
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Trauma
- Pregnancy
A person is at greater risk of developing sciatica if they:
- Have an injury
- Are overweight
- Have diabetes
- Have osteoarthritis
- Smoke
- Have a sedentary lifestyle
Symptoms of Sciatica
Patients with sciatica experience moderate to severe pain in the lower back, buttocks and leg. The pain may worsen during movement or lack of movement.
NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS
There may also be numbness or weakness in the lower back, buttocks, leg or feet.
OTHER SYMPTOMS
Other symptoms include incontinence and paraesthesia (pins and needles) in their legs, toes or feet.
A Message About Sciatica Pain
70% of Sciatica refer to a nerve impingement syndrome arising from the lumbar spine, due to nerve compression from a slipped disc or bone spur.
30% of Sciatica are nerve irritation from outside the spine, from the overstretched or injured piriformis muscle, causing a similar effect on the respective nerve.
Treatment would be targeted at the different sites of nerve compression to achieve nerve clearance.
Diagnosing Sciatica
What Treatments Are Available for Sciatica?
At Singapore Paincare, we strive to treat your pain with the least invasive option possible after accurately identifying the cause. Our pain resolution approach focuses on removing pain generators via specialised injection and minimally invasive procedures. Combined with pharmacological treatments and cognitive and physical rehabilitative therapies, we help patients improve their functionality and prevent pain from recurring
Non-Surgical Treatments for Sciatica
Apart from NSAIDS, our physicians and specialists offer medications to improve sciatica pain such as muscle relaxants, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications.
COREFLEX INJECTION
Our Coreflex injection uses a mix of local anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant, which helps to break the pain cycle, reduce inflammation, and improve healing.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
The therapy sessions by our specialists involve stretching and training to reduce pain. It also consists of isometric exercises to increase mobility and muscle function. However, the intensity and type of exercise may differ based on the conditions of the patient.
DISC ABLATION
A specialised needle is applied to the slipped disc in a targeted manner within the herniated component. A radiofrequency or ablation treatment is used to shrink the herniated disc.
NEUROPLASTY
A balloon catheter is used to mechanically dilate and open the narrowed area within the compressed spinal canal. A balloon dilatation will break free any adhesions and push away and free the entrapped nerve.
Surgical Treatments for Sciatica
MICRODISCECTOMY
Using this minimally invasive procedure, fragments from a herniated disk that are pressing on a nerve are removed.
LAMINECTOMY
This procedure involves removing the lamina (part of the vertebral bone that covers the spinal canal) that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
How Can I Prevent Sciatica?
