Causes

Reduce your risk.

It’s important to understand the underlying medical cause behind sciatica, as effective treatment will focus primarily on addressing the pain’s root cause as well as improving acute symptoms. The condition usually only affects one side of the body.
Common causes include:● Herniated disc: Occurs when the soft inner material of the disc leaks out through the fibrous outer core and irritates the nerve root.● Degenerative disc disease: While some level of disc degeneration is natural due to aging, for some people one or more degenerated discs in the lower back can irritate a nerve root and cause sciatica.● Isthmic spondylolisthesis: Occurs when a small stress fracture allows one vertebral body to slip forward on another.● Lumbar spinal stenosis: This condition (caused by natural aging in the spine) commonly causes sciatica due to a narrowing of the spinal canal. It’s relatively common in adults aged 60 and above.● Piriformis syndrome: If the piriformis muscle in the buttock irritates or pinches a nerve root that comprises the sciatic nerve, it can cause sciatica-type pain.● Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: Irritation of the sacroiliac joint at the bottom of the spine can also irritate a nerve at the top of the sacroiliac joint, inducing sciatica-type pain.

Symptoms

Pinpoint your pain.

With sciatica, pain severity varies from a mild ache to an excruciating burning sensation that restricts movement. Some patients report exacerbated discomfort when they are static for a long period, bent down or engaging in walking, running or weight lifting.

Possible sciatica symptoms include:● Stabbing, shooting, radiating or burning pain in your buttocks, on the backs of your legs and in your feet and toes. You may feel discomfort almost anywhere along the nerve pathway● Tingling that resembles “pins and needles”● Numbness and weakness● Symptoms may worsen when moving, sneezing or coughing
You may also have back pain, but it won’t be as bad as the pain in your buttocks, legs or feet.

Diagnosis

Get the answers you need.

The sciatica doctors at Kayal Pain & Spine Center—based in Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Westwood and Paramus—specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of sciatica and its root causes. After performing a thorough physical exam, one of our doctors may recommend X-rays, MRIs or CT scans.

Treatment

Life’s too short to put up with pain.

Milder cases of sciatica usually resolve themselves with rest, ice and over-the-counter medication. In some cases, you may need your sciatica doctor at Kayal Pain & Spine Center to treat you with cortisone shots, physical therapy or even minimally invasive surgery. These minimally invasive procedures expedite the healing process, leave little scarring and allow you to resume regular activities faster than conventional surgery options. If you’re in the Westwood area and suffering from sciatica, choose Kayal Pain & Spine Center.