Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica (or lumbar radiculopathy) refers to symptoms of scorching or electric jolt-like pain that discharges from the sciatic nerve of the lumbar spine and vibrates down through the backside of either leg.

The largest and longest nerve in the human body, your sciatic nerve extends from L3-L5 of your lower back and serves the muscles of your buttocks, thighs, and calves. Terminating all the way down in your toes, your sciatic nerve also enables sensation in your feet and legs.

Because your sciatic nerve occupies such prime real estate in your lower body, a pinched sciatic nerve can make everyday activities—such as standing, sitting, lifting, or extending the back—extremely uncomfortable.

Often confused with peripheral neuropathy, sciatica also produces characteristic symptoms of numbness or burning in the legs and feet. However, unlike peripheral neuropathy, sciatica rarely results in permanent nerve dysfunction. In fact, with qualified intervention and skilled pain management, sciatica is almost always reversible!

Sciatic nerve compression can result from a wide range of underlying causes. Common conditions that trigger sciatica include:

Concerned that your telltale symptoms of lower back and leg pain could be sciatica? Dr. Frazier, our nationally acclaimed orthopedic spine specialist, knows that non-surgical and minimally invasive techniques are the answer to reversing sciatic pain and restoring your spine health!

What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

The hallmark of sciatica is leg pain that radiates down a single leg of the body; however, on rare occasions, both legs may be affected. Sciatica may be characterized as pain that comes and goes. But, moderate to severe cases of sciatica can restrict everyday activities or even require a visit to the emergency room. Symptoms of sciatica include:

Looking for immediate but lasting solutions to sciatic pain? Dr. Frazier—lauded by the New York Times Magazine as a “Super Doctor”—has earned nearly 20 years of experience refining minimally invasive solutions and redefining sciatica relief!

What are the Treatments for Sciatica?

Noninvasive solutions to sciatica are normally pursued for at least six months before an individual is considered to be a candidate for spine surgery. Before your doctor discusses surgical options, he or she may recommend the following conservative techniques: self-care methods (including bed rest or heat & ice application to the lumbar spine); a guided regimen of pain relievers; physical therapy to strengthen and condition the spine; or chiropractic manipulation.

If conservative pain management techniques fail to remedy your sciatica—or your doctor deems your condition to be an emergency—your physician will assist you to explore surgical options for sciatica relief. Depending upon the precise cause of your sciatica, our board certified surgeon Dr. Frazier may recommend the following surgical techniques:

Concerned that the severity of your sciatica may merit a different approach? Although Lumbar Laminectomies, Microdiscectomies, and Interbody Fusion procedures are the three most common corrective measures to eliminate sciatica, Dr. Frazier customizes each of his surgical procedures to maximize the recovery potential of every individual. Viewing you as a person and not a patient, Dr. Frazier has been delivering award-winning spine care for nearly 20 years!

 

 

Meet Dr. Daveed Frazier

Dr. Frazier is a Harvard-trained, board certified orthopedic spine surgeon. He’s held an academic appointment at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York’s SUNY Downstate. Dr. Frazier is also a respected lecturer, accomplished researcher, published author on spine disorders and treatment, and a consultant for several international spine companies.

After completing his undergraduate education at Brown University, Dr. Frazier attended Harvard Medical School, where he graduated cum laude. He completed a Harvard internship based at the New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston, MA, followed by a Harvard combined residency before becoming chief resident at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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