Sciatica Treatment

Foot Drop Treatments

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:33:51 -0700

Treatment for foot drop will vary depending on the cause. Treating the underlying cause as effectively as possible should always be part of the foot drop treatment plan.

Typical treatments for drop foot include:

Foot Drop Diagnosis

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:19:57 -0700

When diagnosing foot drop, doctors typically rely on a 0-5 foot mobility threshold, with 0 referring to complete paralysis and 5 signifying complete foot mobility.

As there are many potential causes of drop foot, a doctor must first pinpoint its underlying source.

Diagnosing Causes of Drop Foot

A typical dropped foot diagnostic process includes:

Foot Drop Causes

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:03:02 -0700

When learning about drop foot, it should be reiterated that it is a symptom of an underlying condition. Generally speaking, foot drop causes may include:

Muscle damage
Skeletal or anatomical abnormalities affecting the foot
Nerve damage.

Common Drop Foot Causes

Specific causes of foot drop that should be considered may include:

Foot Drop Symptoms, Steppage Gait & Other Warning Signs

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:49:40 -0700

Foot drop typically affects the muscles responsible for moving the ankle and foot upward, specifically the anterior tibialis, extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus.

With drop foot, these muscles are inhibited from performing several functions during a normal walking stride, including swinging the toes up from the ground at the start of a stride and controlling the foot after the heel is planted near the end of a stride. Consequently, the most recognized foot drop symptom occurs: high steppage gait.

Foot Drop Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

cmaynard — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:28:21 -0700

Foot drop, or drop foot as it may also be called, refers to a weakening of the muscles that allow one to flex the ankle and toes, causing the individual to drag the front of the foot while walking and to compensate for this scuffle by bending the knee to lift the foot higher than usual.

Effectiveness of Sciatica Treatment, Herniated Disc Surgeries Compared in Recent Study

cmaynard — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:27:47 -0700

July 15, 2009
by: Sylvia Marten

View Sciatica Videos

Examining the effectiveness of conventional microdiscectomy and tubular disectomy surgeries for treatment of [url:996,type=|node|,content=|sciatica symptoms|] resulting from a [url:885,type=|node|,content=|herniated disc|], a recent study found and opined that the minimally invasive, tubular surgery did not result in better outcomes for patients despite such claims in the past.

[url:1584,type=|node|,content=|conventional microdiscectomy|]. The most commonly performed surgery for patients with sciatic leg pain from disc herniation, [url:5991,type=|node|,content=|microdiscectomy|] (also known as lumbar decompression surgery) entails the removal of a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material under the nerve root to relieve neural impingement and provide more room to heal.
[url:6025,type=|node|,content=|tubular discectomy|]. Introduced in 1997, tubular discectomy involves a similar procedure to the one described above, with the exception that it is performed through a tubular device. This type of herniated disc surgery has been described as producing less tissue damage and resulting in a faster rate of recovery, the latter point serving as the basis of examination for the Sciatica Micro-Endoscopic Discectomy trial.

Performed by researchers in the Netherlands, this trial involved 328 patients (ages 18 to 70 years) who:

had persistent leg pain from lumbar herniated discs for more than 8 weeks
were hospitalized in 7 general hospitals in the Netherlands from January 2005 to October 2006
were randomized to either a tubular discectomy (approximately 167 patients) or conventional microdiscectomy (161 patients).

A blind follow up was conducted a year later, with functional ability, pain and a self-view of recovery assessed via a series of questionnaires and surveys.

Findings on Microdiscectomy and Tubular Discectomy

According to the study, conventional microdiscectomy produced more favorable results than tubular discectomy after one year for:

functionality. The mean score on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), which has a 0-23 score range with higher scores indicative of worse functional status, was 3.4 for conventional microdiscectomy and 4.7 for tubular discectomy.
leg pain. On the visual analog scale, the 1-year mean difference was in favor of conventional microdiscectomy (with scores of 4.2 mm for leg pain and 3.5 mm for [url:145,type=|term|,content=|back pain|]).
self-reports of recovery. 120 of 151 patients (79%) who had conventional microdiscectomy reported good recovery a year later while 107 of 156 of patients (69%) who had tubular discectomy reported good recovery a year after the minimally-invasive procedure.

It should be known that this randomized control trial by no means knocks the validity of tubular disectomy as a minimally-invasive procedure for herniated discs; rather, it challenges certain claims like it increasing the rates of recovery.

Source: JAMA

More on This Topic

[url:1001,type=|node|,content=|Sciatic Nerve Anatomy and Sciatica Symptoms|]
[url:1016,type=|node|,content=|The Truth about Sciatica|]
[url:715,type=|node|,content=|Lumbar Herniated Disc|]
[url:884,type=|node|,content=|Treatment Options for a Lumbar Herniated Disc|]
[url:9574,type=|node|,content=|Surgery Options for a Herniated Disc|]
[url:18207,type=|node|,content=|Lower Back Pain after Surgery|]
[url:7996,type=|node|,content=|Sciatica Treatments|]

Overview: Sciatica Exercises

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

Sciatic Nerve Anatomy

cmaynard — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:45:01 -0700

The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest single nerve in the human body, about as big around as a thumb at its largest point. The nerve originates in the lower spine as nerve roots exit the spinal cord (through the bones in the spine), and extends all the way down the back of the leg to the toes.

Treatment Options for Chronic Sciatica and Lower Back Pain

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:01:55 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about conservative treatments for chronic back pain and sciatica.

Seeing a Chiropractor for Sciatica

Ben Parr — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:29:13 -0700

A physician answers patient questions about seeing a doctor of chiropractic for sciatica.

Question: Would Seeing a Chiropractor for Sciatica Help?

My CT scan shows bulging at L4-L5 and L5-S1. The bulging is causing sciatica on my left side and leg pain.

Would seeing a chiropractor help or hinder the sciatica?

Pinched Nerve, Scar Tissue, and Accurate Back Pain Diagnosis

Ben Parr — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:40:46 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about scar tissue and a pinched nerve after a laminectomy.

Question:

I had a laminectomy to fix a herniated disk located at L4/L5. The fix only lasted about 4 days before significant pain occurred. I had a second laminectomy surgery two months later where the doctor cleaned up some fragments and increased the amount of the prior surgery. That also did not work.

Spinal Stenosis and Sciatic Pain: Is Surgery the Answer?

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:48:46 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about decompression and artificial disc replacement for spinal stenosis and sciatic pain.

Stretching the Piriformis Muscle for Sciatica From a Herniated Disc

Ben Parr — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:58:14 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about piriformis stretching exercises for sciatica due to a herniated disc.

Question: Are piriformis stretching exercises important for sciatica?

I have a herniated disc at L5-S1, causing What You Need to Know About Sciatica down my right leg. I have had some success with physical therapy, but some of the exercises, such as stretching the piriformis muscle, are causing leg pain.

Sciatica and Spinal Stenosis: Is Surgery the Answer?

Ben Parr — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:07:59 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about surgery for sciatica and spinal stenosis.

The Truth About Sciatica: Genetics, Low Back Problems, Piriformis, Arthritis, and More

Ben Parr — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:47:00 -0700

Truth: The sciatic nerve runs from the low back down to the toes

The sciatic nerve is located in front of the piriformis muscle (deep in the rear), including the lowest two nerves that exit from the lower spine (L4 and L5) and the first three sacral nerves (S1, S2 and S3). Each of the nerves has two branches, one on each side of the spine. The root of each nerve exits the spine between two vertebra in the low back, travels down the back of each leg, and branches out to the leg and into each foot.

Sciatica First Aid: Exercise for Long-term Pain Relief

Ben Parr — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:42:22 -0700

Once pain control for sciatica has been achieved, gentle stretching of the affected area, and low-impact exercise, (such as walking two to three miles) will help bring healing nutrients to the affected area and help to restore function.

As with any back treatment, care should be taken to not further aggravate the situation. It is always advisable to consult with a doctor with any questions or concerns that may arise during the course of care.

¿Es Mi Dolor Ciática o Algo Más?

Ellen — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:52:46 -0700

Ciática--doler a lo largo del nervio sciatic grande que funciona de la parte posteriora más baja abajo de la parte posteriora de cada pierna--es una forma relativamente común de dolor de espalda y de dolor de la pierna. Sin embargo, la ciática del término se emplea mal a menudo, y los pacientes pueden intentar uno mismo-diagnosticar y uno mismo-tratan la causa incorrecta de su ciática o pueden realmente no tener ciática. Este boletín de noticias revienta algunos de los mitos comunes sobre ciática y da una descripción de sus síntomas, causas y opciones del tratamiento.

Tratamiento de la Ciática

spine-health — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:24:30 -0800

Para la mayoría de la gente, las buenas noticias son que la ciática conseguirá generalmente mejor en sus la propia, y el proceso curativo toma generalmente solamente algunos días o semanas. Total, la mayoría extensa de episodios del dolor de la Sciatica cura dentro de una duración de seis a doce semanas. Sin embargo, las llamaradas ocasionales del dolor sciatic del nervio pueden ser una indicación de una condición que deba ser manejada de modo que no consiga en un cierto plazo peor.

Qué Necesitas Saber sobre Ciática

spine-health — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:12:41 -0800

Dolor de la ciática

La ciática del término describe los síntomas del dolor y posiblemente de zumbar de la pierna, el entumecimiento o la debilidad que viajan del de espalda a través de la nalga y traga el nervio sciatic grande en la parte posteriora de la pierna.

Cirugía de la Ciática

spine-health — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:06:11 -0800

Si el dolor de la ciática es severo y no ha conseguido mejor en el plazo de seis a doce semanas, es generalmente razonable considerar cirugía de la espina dorsal. Dependiendo de la causa y de la duración del dolor de la ciática, uno de dos procedimientos quirúrgicos será considerado típicamente: un microdecompression (microdiscectomy) o una descompresión abierta (laminectomy lumbar).

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain and Sciatica

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:09:59 -0800

Indications for Lumbar Epidural Injections

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:09:59 -0800

Several common conditions that cause severe acute or chronic low back pain and/or leg pain (sciatica) from nerve irritation can be treated by steroid injections. These conditions include:

A lumbar disc herniation, where the nucleus of the disc pushes through the outer ring (the annulus) and into the spinal canal where it pressures the spinal cord and nerves. Read Lumbar herniated disc for more information on diagnosis and treatments.
read more

Spinal Decompression for Back Pain Relief - Patients' Advice: Part I

spine-health — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:03:17 -0800

Back-to-Back: Patients share tips on experiences with spinal decompression

Want to know more about spinal decompression from those who have been affected most? In our Back-to-Back section, patients share tips and advice about using non-surgical spinal decompression to treat their back problems.

Exercise for Sciatica from Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

Sciatica can be caused by isthmic spondylolisthesis if the condition results in nerve root irritation or impingement. In most cases, if isthmic spondylolisthesis affects or pinches a nerve root it will affect the L5 nerve root.

When treating sciatica resulting from isthmic spondylolisthesis with exercise, the spine specialist will typically recommend a program of sciatica exercises that is a hybrid of:

Exercise for Sciatic Pain from Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint is believed to be caused by a disruption in the normal movement of the joint, despite the fact that the sacroiliac joint (also called the SI joint) naturally has a very limited range of motion. If the sacroiliac joint becomes inflamed, the portion of the sciatic nerve that runs directly in front of the joint can be irritated. Learn more about sacroiliac joint problems and treatments for sacroiliac joint pain.

Exercise for Sciatica from Degenerative Disc Disease

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

While degenerative disc disease most often causes low back pain, if a degenerated disc impinges on a nerve root in the low back it can also cause a form of sciatica.

With that said, a series of sciatica exercises for degenerative disc disease exist and may provide relief of sciatic symptoms.

Exercise for Sciatica from Spinal Stenosis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

Sciatic pain from nerve root irritation or impingement can be caused by spinal stenosis, a condition that causes the nerve’s passageway to narrow or constrict. A typical symptom of spinal stenosis is sciatic pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve down the leg while walking, with sciatic pain relief only felt when sitting down. The study of this leg pain (sciatica) is referred to as radiculopathy.

Hamstring Stretching Exercises

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

As a final note, regardless of the diagnosis, most types of sciatica will benefit from a regular routine of hamstring exercise, especially hamstring stretching. The hamstrings are muscles located in the back of the thigh. They help bend the knee and extend the hip. Tightness in the hamstrings will place increased stress on the low back and often aggravate or even cause some of the conditions that result in sciatica.

When doing hamstring stretches, patients should avoid bouncing, which can trigger a muscle spasm.

Exercise for Sciatic Pain from Piriformis Syndrome

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

A common symptom of piriformis syndrome is pain along the sciatica nerve, so it is often thought that piriformis syndrome causes sciatica. However, piriformis syndrome does not involve a radiculopathy - a disc extending beyond its usual location in the vertebral column that impinges or irritates the nerve root - so it is technically not sciatica.

Instead, with piriformis syndrome, it is the piriformis muscle itself that irritates the sciatic nerve and causes sciatic pain.

Exercise for Sciatica from a Herniated Disc

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:48 -0800

Leg pain or sciatica (also known as radiculopathy) from a herniated disc is commonly caused by disc material protruding backwards and irritating or compressing a nerve root, which in turn causes pain to radiate along the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica First Aid

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:52:48 -0800

The term sciatica (sometimes misspelled "ciatica" or "siatica") is used to describe pain that radiates down the course of the sciatic nerve, which starts from each side of the lower back, extends down the back of the thigh, and into the foot.

Is My Pain Sciatica or Something Else?

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:52:48 -0800

Sciatica--pain along the large sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg--is a relatively common form of low back pain and leg pain. However, the term sciatica is often misused, and patients may try to self-diagnose and self-treat the wrong cause of their sciatica or they may not actually have sciatica.

This newsletter busts some of the common myths about sciatica and gives an overview of its symptoms, causes and treatment options.

Sciatica: Surgeon Viewpoint

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:52:48 -0800

Based on the studies history and physical exam, this would not be a good patient for a surgical candidate. The MRI scan does not show much in the way of any nerve root pinching from either a disc herniation or stenosis. Although the L5-S1 axial scans are not shown, this scan also does not show any nerve root pinching. He actually has quite a patent canal. Also his pain is both when sitting and standing, and stenotic pain is usually just with prolonged standing or walking. Lastly, the epidurals helped a bit, but not dramatically.

Myths About Sciatica Treatment Options

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:52:48 -0800

Patients who have sciatica are best served by a treatment plan that is individualized based on the patient’s symptoms, diagnosis and response to various treatments. The process of finding relief from low back pain and leg pain associated with sciatica can often require some trial and error. Some patients may find certain treatments more effective than others.

Sciatica: Chiropractor Viewpoint

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:52:48 -0800

The gentleman appears to be experiencing pain from nerve root compression at L5-S1. A MRI performed in August of 2000 confirms a disc herniation at the L5-S1 and at L4-L5. Specific information is not given regarding nerve root compression/central or lateral recess stenosis.