Sciatica

Sciatica is a common cause of lower back pain, affecting up to 40% of Americans at some time during their lives. Thankfully, non-surgical treatments often ease nerve compression, relieve pain, and encourage healing. At Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC, which serves the Denver metropolitan area, sports medicine specialist Kevin O’Donnell, DO, and the rest of the team take an integrative approach to treating sciatica pain. Call Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC to schedule sciatica treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a common cause of lower back and leg pain. It occurs when your sciatic nerve –– the longest nerve in your body –– gets compressed or injured. Since the sciatic nerve runs from your lower back, over your buttocks, and into your legs, the pain can occur anywhere in your lower body, making activities such as walking and exercising impossible. 

Are there different types of sciatica?

Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC treats both types of sciatica:

True sciatica

True sciatica refers to any injury or condition that directly affects your sciatic nerve.

Sciatica-like conditions

These conditions cause sciatica-like symptoms but occur due to other underlying issues, such as arthritis, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica symptoms include:

• Pain in the lower back, buttocks, legs, or feet
• Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness

As the condition worsens, some people experience urinary and fecal incontinence. However, this is a rare, severe symptom.

How is sciatica diagnosed?

Your specialist reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and does a physical exam. They also complete several tests, including:

Walking test

Sciatica affects your gait (how you walk). Your specialist has you walk around the exam room so they can look for these changes.

Straight leg raise test

During this test, you lie on your back with your legs extended. Then, your specialist has you slowly raise one leg at a time and asks when you start to feel pain or other symptoms. This information helps locate where your sciatic nerve is pinched and guides treatment.

Flexibility and strength tests

These tests assess your muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion. They help identify other health problems that present sciatica-like symptoms.

How is sciatica treated?

Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC takes an integrative and non-surgical approach to treating sciatica. Your specialist could suggest:

• Radial shockwave therapy (EPAT)
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Prolotherapy
• Joint injections
• Bone and fat stem cell treatment
• Physical therapy
• Immobilization with a sling
• Corticosteroid injections

Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC monitors your symptoms at regular checkups and adjusts your care plan as needed to restore your mobility.

Call Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC to schedule sciatica treatment, or book your appointment online today.