Is Sciatica Stopping You? 4 Interventional Treatments Worth Discussing

Sciatica is the name of the pain syndrome associated with compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, the largest and longest nerve in your body. You have two of these, running from your lower back down each leg. 

As well as sharp, sudden electric-shock pain, sciatica symptoms include numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and symptoms that radiate along the nerve’s length. 

Most cases resolve with conservative care and rest, but this takes time, and sciatica can be persistent. It’s not always effective to wait for the problem to pass.  

At Midwest Innovative Pain Management in Dyer, Indiana, we provide sciatica care that works. Rather than relying on pain medications that simply mask your symptoms, our team of Maher Fattouh, MD, and Anastasia Yorkman, NP, practices interventional pain management that often targets the underlying problems at the source. 

Today, let’s look at four interventional treatments for sciatica that are worth discussing as part of your pain management plan. 

Nerve root blocks

Both a treatment and diagnostic tool, nerve blocks calm irritated nerve roots, of which each sciatic nerve has five. Typically a combination of anesthetic and steroid, a nerve block reduces inflammation while easing pain signals. 

You feel relief, and our caregivers receive important information about your condition. Nerve blocks can be helpful when your sciatica stems from multiple causes.  

Epidural corticosteroid injections

One of the most commonly used treatments for persistent sciatica delivers powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected sciatic nerve root. 

Corticosteroids are powerful inflammation fighters. As internal swelling goes down, irritation and pressure on nerve tissue eases. 

You’re likely to feel less pain at the site of nerve compression as well as fewer symptoms radiating down the leg. Overall mobility of the affected areas is also likely to improve. 

Facet and sacroiliac joint injections

Symptoms that seem like sciatica aren’t always the result of compression of the sciatic nerve roots. Facet joints, the “fins” at the rear of each vertebra, and the sacroiliac (SI) joints connecting the spine to the pelvis, can sometimes mimic sciatica-like sensory and motor symptoms.

In other cases, these joints can contribute to actual sciatic nerve conditions. Just as with other sciatica injections, treatment of these joints reduces inflammation and pain while helping to determine how your sciatica symptoms originate. 

Radiofrequency ablation

Some patients may be candidates for radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a treatment that uses heat to destroy the nerve tissue responsible for your sciatica or pseudosciatica symptoms. 

When nerve blocks reliably identify problems like facet or SI joint pain, RFA can provide relief that lasts longer than more frequent injection therapies. 

The right treatment depends on the nature of your condition. Start the process toward pain-free living with a visit to Midwest Innovative Pain Management. Call or click today to request a personal consultation.