Sciatica is a painful condition that can interfere with your daily activities, such as work, sports, and general productivity. It occurs when the vertebrae bones pinch any sciatic nerves that run through your spine down to your feet. The nerves send signals to your brain, causing pain that starts from your lower abdomen and travels through your legs down to your feet. At Edison Spine & Pain Management, we offer effective sciatica treatment in Edison.
How Do I Know If I Have Sciatica or Not?
Sciatica pain can occur anywhere along the path of the nerve. In many patients, it follows the lower back to the buttock, the back of the thigh, and the calf. Sometimes, it affects only one side of the body. In addition, some patients may experience tingling, muscle weakness, or numbness in the foot or leg. Sometimes, one leg part can be painful while the other is numb.
Once you start experiencing these symptoms, you can visit us at Edison Spine and Pain Management so that we can assess your condition and recommend the best solution.
When to See a Doctor
Some patients consider self-care measures since most initial symptoms disappear over time, however, it would help to check with our physicians if symptoms persist beyond self-care treatment.
Additionally, you can contact us if the pain prolongs longer than a week or gets worse or more severe. Moreover, the following cases may require immediate medical care:
- Sudden cutting pain in the leg or lower back and muscle weakness or numbness in the leg
- Severe pain following a violent injury such as a road accident
- Difficulties controlling your bladder or bowels
What Happens if Sciatica is Left Untreated?
If you experience but ignore sciatica symptoms, they may advance to untreatable stages and permanently affect the quality of your life. Below are some risks of not seeking out your sciatica treatment in Edison:
- It Can Cause Irreparable Nerve Damage
Untreated sciatica can result in permanent nerve damage that causes constant leg and back pains. In many cases, the pain extends to other body parts, and some patients develop chronic pain that does not respond to medication. These risks are higher in diabetic patients if sciatica goes untreated for an extended period.
- It May Cause Cauda Equina Syndrome
Failure to address sciatica symptoms may put you at risk of developing Cauda Equina Syndrome. The CES condition causes unbearable back pain that may come with incontinence. In worse cases, it may result in permanent paralysis. - Loss of Sensation and Motor Control
In severe cases, patients lose sensation in the limb with sciatica; these cases are common with diabetic patients. The patient may experience irreparable motor dysfunction, and with that case, we may recommend immediate amputation. - It May Necessitate Surgery
Our medical experts can treat sciatica using non-invasive methods if you seek medical attention early. However, prolonged symptoms and late treatment will require surgery.
Is Bed Rest Good for Sciatica?
Our physician experts advise against bed rest if you struggle with lower back pain or sciatica. Prolonged bed rest can worsen the condition in the following ways:
- Alterations in Disc Size
When you lie down for a long time, your intervertebral discs absorb liquid and enlarge. With this, your injury risks will be higher, especially during bending movements.
- Deconditioning of the Muscles
Bed rest weakens your flexor and extensor muscles making it hard for your back to withstand heavy loads and movements. - Changes in Spinal Biomechanics
Extended lying down affects the normal lordotic curve of your lower spine, making it flatter. The changes in your reverse-C shape alter your spine’s normal mechanics.
Conclusion
Treating sciatica symptoms early is an excellent way to prevent further complications. Nevertheless, it helps to adhere to the guidelines that our specialists will give you after your sciatica treatment in Edison.
