A variety of factors can cause back pain. Lower back pain is frequently assumed to be the result of overexertion and fatigue. However, if you feel intense stabbing pain that travels from your lower back to your legs, you may have sciatica. While most sciatica patients can be successfully treated with conservative treatments, severe cases may require surgery.
Before Considering Surgery for Sciatica Pain Treatment
Before recommending surgery for you, your doctor will perform a physical exam. A physical exam will help your doctor ensure that sciatica really is the cause of the pain you’re experiencing. Your doctor may order a series of diagnostic imaging tests to see the state of your lower back. These tests will also help them learn if other factors are contributing to your pain.
You may have to undergo more than one diagnostic test, such as an X-ray, electromyography, MRI, or a CT scan, to confirm that you have sciatica. Upon confirmation, your provider will suggest the best treatment for your sciatica pain. Healthcare providers often encourage conservative and minimally-invasive interventions before turning to surgical options.
Surgical Options
Different surgical options are available for sciatica pain treatment. Your healthcare provider will assess what type of surgery is the best fit for you. Your doctor will consider multiple factors to ensure the best results possible. These factors typically include:
- Age
- Lifestyle choices, like diet and smoking
- Overall health
- Other health conditions
Discectomy
Sciatica pain may be the result of spinal nerve compression. You may experience a stabbing pain in the lower back of your legs when moving due to the pressure.
Discectomy is a procedure done for other back pain conditions to help relieve pressure in the spine. Bone spurs or tiny bone growth in the spine may put unnecessary pressure on the nerves and cause pain. Discectomy involves the removal of these bone spurs and herniated discs to help relieve stress and alleviate pain.
Microdiscectomy
A microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is becoming increasingly popular. This operation involves a small incision in your lower back. Your surgeon will insert a thin tube with a camera attached to ensure proper visualization of the target area. They will then partially or completely remove the spinal disc pressing on your spinal nerve.
Laminectomy
Laminectomy is a type of surgery that involves the removal of the lamina. The lamina is a part of the vertebral bone that covers the spinal nerve. Removal of a part of the lamina relieves pressure on the affected nerve and alleviates pain. Surgeons perform this procedure to help with a patient’s nerve pain, making it an option for sciatica pain treatment.
Laminotomy
In some cases, treatment may involve only partial removal of the lamina. Spine doctors refer to this as a laminotomy. A laminectomy completely removes the lamina. On the other hand, a laminotomy involves your surgeon taking out only the part of the lamina causing sciatica pain. An orthopedic surgeon can do this procedure in the patient’s neck area or in the lumbar spine area.
Risks Of Surgery
All major surgeries involve some risks during and after the operation. The following are possible risks that you may encounter when undergoing back surgery:
- Paralysis
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Bowel/bladder incontinence
- Spinal cord fluid leak
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs
- Spinal cord or nerve root injury
- Risks linked to the use of general anesthesia
Undergoing surgery may worsen your pain and cause more severe conditions; however, this is very rare. Follow your healthcare provider’s advice after surgery to ensure that you recover swiftly. Your doctor may prescribe some medications to help with pain during recovery. You may also be encouraged to do physical therapy as part of your recovery plan. Physical therapy and other recovery methods will help you ease into your daily activities, regain strength, and return to normal after surgery.
Sciatica Pain Treatment Clinics In Rochester Hills, MI
Sciatica pain treatment typically begins with medication and lifestyle modifications. Consideration of other treatments depends on your healthcare provider’s assessment of your condition. You’ll undergo a series of tests to ensure that you need surgery.
If you’re looking for quality spine care, look no further than Ahlgren Spine Orthopedic Surgery. Our healthcare team is sure to provide you with the finest healthcare under the supervision of the board-certified Dr. Ahlgren. We will surely be there with you from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.
If you want to know more about our services, you may call us at (248) 215-8080. If you would like to schedule a consultation, you can use our online appointment request form. We are looking forward to serving you!
