Can Outpatient Surgery Stop Sciatica Pain?
Nerve pain is one of the most frustrating feelings a person can experience. However, sciatica can be excruciatingly painful, and actually impacts as many as 3 million people annually. The diagnosis refers to a specific type of nerve pain that’s caused by certain conditions such as herniated disks or bone spurs in the spine. In both cases, pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve, resulting in lower back pain. Typically, at-home treatments or even in-office non-invasive methods are sufficient to find relief. For some individuals, surgery may be the only course of action.
Causes of sciatica
Sciatica can only occur when the sciatic nerve is pinched. This nerve is located in the lower portion of the body, running from the lower back into the hips and buttocks of each leg. Most people receive this diagnosis because of herniated disks that create pressure on the nerve or surrounding bone spurs. Sometimes, tumorous growths can also lead to a person developing sciatica. Additionally, diabetes is also a common culprit, especially in poorly managed cases where nerve damage is more likely to occur.
Understanding the risk
The nerve condition can happen to any individual, but some people are more likely to suffer from this type of pain. Factors like age, uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, or even sitting for extended periods increase the potential for developing sciatica. Sometimes certain occupations enhance the risk of nerve damage. Similarly, bodily changes that occur in pregnant women can temporarily lead to sciatica. For pregnancy, an increase in the hormone relaxin causes joints and ligaments to stretch and, along with the unavoidable weight gain, can amplify symptoms.
Know the symptoms
Sciatica pain can present differently in each patient. Some people might experience mild discomfort that is easy to manage at home, while other individuals can barely move. Most patients describe pain that is more pronounced on one side of the body or is sharper in one area, such as the hip or leg. In more difficult situations, people might experience weakness in the affected limb. The pain may appear when sitting or standing for too long and may be more noticeable at night or after certain activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing or straining.
When OTCs fail
Although at-home care with over-the-counter (OTC) medications is often enough for most people, other individuals may be encouraged to attempt physical therapy, take prescription medications, or visit a doctor for localized injections. When these attempts don’t provide consistent relief, physicians might recommend a microdiscectomy. The procedure is minimally invasive and is more likely to be suggested when people struggle with herniated disc-related sciatica. The surgery removes parts of the disc, helping reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. Research suggests that as many as 84% of patients who have a microdiscectomy have long-term pain relief. Additionally, the outpatient procedure has quick recovery timelines, with people achieving full recovery within 4-8 weeks.
Ending sciatic pain
Not every person with sciatica is an ideal candidate for microdiscectomy. Physicians will usually focus on people with pain related to having a herniated disc. If at-home or non-invasive methods aren’t bringing relief and sciatica is interfering with quality of life, consider asking about a microdiscectomy.
