sciatica is the term given to leg pain that travels from the sciatic nerve down the leg and into the foot. This type of pain radiates along the sciatic nerve and its pathways. Beginning in your lower back, through the buttock region and continuing down the leg, the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body. Because of its length and size, the amount of pain it can cause is debilitating. Sciatica usually gets worse over time making it more difficult to sit or stand for long periods of time.
Sciatica is not actually the name of a disorder, but symptom that occurs when the foramen that the sciatic nerve travels through begins to narrow. This occurs as a person ages and calcium begins to build up along the edges of hole. The pain and irritation associated with sciatica can be accompanied by numbness and tingling in the feet and toes. It can make sitting and standing difficult depending on how much pressure is placed on the nerve and the irritation that results from it.
The Laser Spine Institute and their team of spinal surgeons understand the feelings of frustration that people with sciatica endure. With their state of the art surgical techniques, they can relieve the irritation and discomfort associated with sciatica by going in and widening the foramen to give the sciatic nerve more room to shift and move without being compressed or pinched. They can also provide information on other treatment options that may be available. Pain medications can also be prescribed to help relieve the discomfort associated with sciatica.
Many people suffer from sciatica. There are treatment options available that can alleviate the pain and frustration that accompany this condition. Consulting a physician to determine if surgery is the right option for you is the first step in becoming pain free.