What dr should i see for sciatica

Trying to figure out what doctor to see for sciatica pain? Sciatica can be debilitating. Whether you have back pain , leg pain or both, here are some ways to find treatment.

Sciatica is the term used to describe pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. This nerve, located in your lower back, is formed by a bundling of nerves that emerge from the lower lumbar region of the spine. The sciatic nerve is the major neural pathway between your brain and your legs and feet.

It may be hard to determine what doctor should treat your sciatica since the pain is felt in various locations. Taking a closer look at the causes of sciatica pain can help us determine the appropriate specialist to treat it. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc. A herniated disc is when one of the soft gel-filled discs that sit between each vertabrae of the spine ruptures.

The material inside the disc releases into the spinal canal. This can often result in pressure on the nerves which leads to pain. The sciatic nerve is the nerve that is most commonly affected by a herniated disc. Your doctor may order an MRI to diagnose the source of the pain or rule out other conditions.

If the pain does not improve, he may refer you to a neurologist. Neurologists specialize in disorders of the nervous system, which includes the sciatic nerve. A neurologist may perform several addition diagnostic tests like an EMG electromyography or nerve conduction studies NCS to localize the problem and determine treatment. Since sciatica is a nerve disorder, involving a neurologist in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition is beneficial.

When conservative methods fail to relieve pain symptoms, a patient may be referred to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.

Surgery is usually a last resort and used when there is rapid loss of leg function, the pain is completely unbearable, or there is evidence of imminent nerve damage. In addition, and apart from therapies advised by your primary care provider, interventional pain management specialists are trained and licensed to treat back and leg pain.

They may advise epidural steroid injections, piriformis tendon injections in the buttocks, plus exercise and rest. For nonsurgical options, you may be referred to a physical therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist and biofeedback practitioners. At Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery, we believe that an informed patient is the best patient.

We practice comprehensive, patient-centered care designed to help you achieve the best possible outcomes. The sciatic nerve is commonly pinched when an individual has a herniated disc.

In some cases, an overgrowth of bone known as a bone spur on the vertebrae can also pinch the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica.

Some risk factors can impact the likelihood of getting sciatica, including, but not limited to age, obesity, diabetes, and prolonged periods of sitting. The best ways to prevent getting sciatica is to exercise on a regular basis, use proper body movements especially when lifting heavy loads , and maintaining good posture as you sit.

You can also improve your spinal health by being under regular chiropractic care to ensure no nerves are being pinched in your back and neck. The symptoms of sciatica can range from a simple, uncomfortable, mild ache to sharper sensations similar to a feeling of being burned.

In some cases, the pain can be excruciating and unbearable. There are a variety of common symptoms of sciatica which include, but are not limited to, the following:. Generally speaking, sciatica will only impact one side of the lower body, although it occasionally can affect both sides such as both hips, both legs, etc. In most scenarios, the pain will begin at the lower back and work its way through the thigh and leg. The foot and toes can also be affected by sciatica pain depending on where the sciatic nerve has been impacted.

Pain associated with sciatica can be well addressed with the use of diagnostic tests such as the CT scan, which will show your physician a composite view of your pain and injury that may be associated with sciatica. In other cases, your physician may recommend an x-ray to see the full picture of the area of your spine that has been harmed. An x-ray uses magnets and radiation to form a visual of your injuries.

To accurately determine whether you have sciatica or another condition and the severity of sciatica, a variety of diagnostic and imaging tests need to be conducted. In most cases, the first tests conducted are an x-ray or computed tomography scan CT scan or CAT scan. These help the doctor locate potential bone overgrowths known as a bone spur that is pressing against a nerve.