What is Sciatica? – part 2
Causes of sciatica
Also additional conditions may cause it
Those include:
- Poor posture
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Sleeping in a very soft mattress
- Use of heels
- Slip disc
Diagnostic methods
A non-urgent evaluation for controlling sciatica includes physical examination and control of muscle strength, reflexes and senses in order to determine whether the problem comes from a compressed nerve. Possibly x-ray, MRI or CT scan or electromyography (nerve conduction study) may also be needed.
Treatments
Bed rest: in some cases it may be recommended by your doctor that one to two days of staying in bed will help limit the inflammation around the nerve roots. Longer stay in bed is not recommended, because this can slow the recovery.
Painkillers: opioids or corticosteroids, painkillers such as acetaminophen can help reduce pain and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin can help reduce the pain and inflammation. Your doctor may give you an anti-inflammatory and sometimes a muscle relaxant.
Physiotherapy: when the pain becomes relatively bearable and inflammation subsides, it is important to start exercise and physiotherapy to regain mobility.
Surgery: is indicated when the pain is strong and is not reduced by medication, when there is weakness in the legs, and when there is a problem in the control of bladder or bowel. Modern surgical treatment of acute sciatica due to a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine is microdiscectomy. This surgery involves removing the portion of the intervertebral disc that is causing the problem (not the whole disc) and the removal of the pressure in the nerve root using a special microscope with a very small incision low on the waist with a short hospital stay and postoperative recovery. The results are excellent (full rehabilitation and pain relief) in the vast majority of cases.
Prevention
- Use a firm mattress for sleeping and sleep on your back or side having your legs bent.
- Touch your feet on the floor and do not cross them.
- Make sure you have good support in your back when you are sitting and prefer an upright posture.
This article is for www.arisemobility.co.uk
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