Sciatica Specialist
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Island Interventional Pain Management
Rajmani Krishnan, MD
Interventional Pain Management & Regenerative Medicine Specialist located in Commack, NY
An intense shooting pain from your lower back down your leg could be due to sciatica — pressure on the sciatic nerve. Rajmani Krishnan, MD, of Island Interventional Pain Management in Commack, New York, uses noninvasive therapies and advanced interventions to reduce nerve compression and relieve sciatica symptoms. Find out how Dr. Krishnan can help resolve your sciatica by calling Island Interventional Pain Management, or book an appointment online today.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a common and often excruciatingly painful condition that occurs because of pressure on the sciatic nerve. This large nerve originates in your lower (lumbar) spine, then goes into your buttocks and divides into two. One branch of the sciatic nerve goes down each leg to your foot.
Pinching of the sciatic nerve could be due to:
- Arthritis and bone spurs
- Herniated disc
- Muscle spasms
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
Some people are more prone to sciatica because of an inactive lifestyle or continually wearing high-heeled shoes.
What symptoms might sciatica cause?
The most obvious symptom of sciatica is stabbing or shooting pain that typically goes down one leg. Although the root of the problem is likely to be in your lower back, the pain is often worse in the buttock and leg. It can radiate all the way to your foot, following the path of the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica pain tends to be worse if you're sitting or lying down. You might also experience:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- "Pins and needles" sensation
- Problems with muscle control
- Weakness
- Reduced mobility
In most cases, sciatica only affects one leg, although it can involve both legs. Severe sciatica can affect the nerves controlling bladder and bowel function, so a small number of patients also suffer from incontinence.
How is sciatica treated?
When treating sciatica, Dr. Krishnan aims to relieve the pressure on your sciatic nerve and reduce the inflammation to resolve your pain. He prepares an individualized treatment plan for you that could include various therapies depending on your needs, such as:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Stretching exercises
- Massage therapy
- Ice packs
- Epidural steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
Weight loss and changing your footwear can also help relieve nerve pressure.
If your sciatica doesn't respond and is causing you severe pain and disability, Dr. Krishnan might perform a radiofrequency ablation procedure. This involves using radio wave energy to turn off the pain signals going to your brain.
Techniques like minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) might also be useful to relieve nerve compression.
Alternatives include ketamine therapy and spinal cord stimulator or pain pump implantation for the most severe cases.
If you have sciatica pain, get treatment early before your condition worsens. Call Island Interventional Pain Management today or book an appointment online.
