One of the largest nerves in the body, the sciatic nerve starts in the lower back and travels behind the hip joint, through the buttocks, and along the back of each leg down to the feet. Branches of the sciatic nerve provide movement and feeling to the hips and lower extremities.
Sciatica is the term used to describe a radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve. A radiculopathy occurs when nerve root(s) in the spine are pinched or compressed, resulting in radiating electrical pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the distribution of that nerve.
Typically, sciatica only affects one side of the body, although it may also occur in both legs simultaneously. The classic symptom is shooting or burning pain felt in the buttock and down the back of the thigh.
*Although uncommon, sciatica can cause cauda equina syndrome. Symptoms may include loss of bowel or bladder control and/or pain, weakness, or loss of feeling in one or both legs. This is a medical emergency. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to be seen by a physician immediately.
Recovery from sciatica can take several months, sometimes even longer. It can often be treated with specifically tailored combinations of activity modification, medical management and physical therapy. As a patient, you may invest considerable time into your recovery. It is smart to also invest in a doctor who can pull from many excellent resources to help bring you relief as soon as possible.
Non-operative care is always our goal with surgery as the last resort. If surgery is necessary, Dr. Stieber offers several solutions including the minimally invasive microscopic discectomy, a procedure that can decompress the nerve root or roots and spinal cord, so you can quickly return to normal living and mobility. The same doctor you are seeing for your sciatica diagnosis and treatment is the same doctor who will perform surgery if necessary. You avoid the paperwork for a specialist referral and you continue your relationship with the doctor you’ve come to trust and respect: Dr. Stieber.
Dr. Stieber’s broad knowledge and experience weighs in on all aspects of your condition. Nervous system issues can have may contributory causes, all of which must be addressed correctly to produce the optimal outcome. Compression or pinching of neurological structures can radiate symptoms far from the source. You may not require surgery and, as often as it may happen, sciatica relief may be more easily treated than you realize – meet with us.
More often than not, patients with sciatica can be treated successfully with a combination of activity modification, physical therapy, and medical management. Surgery is seldom required. Dr. Stieber works closely with other highly skilled medical professionals, utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach in order to deliver the very best care possible. Recovery from sciatica can take several months or longer.
For those patients who ultimately require surgical treatment, Dr. Stieber offers advanced expertise and a variety of treatment options including endoscopic discectomy and minimally-invasive microscopic discectomy.
Dr. Stieber is internationally recognized as a leading orthopedic specialist specifically focused on advanced, minimally and non-invasive solutions to spinal disorders including sciatica pain. Dr. Stieber, his NYC team of experienced professionals are known for their compassionate care, their ability to identify the underlying cause and effectively treat the most complex back and spine issues.
Some of the reasons you should make Dr. Stieber your first choice in restoring a pain-free life:
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