Sciatica Treatment in Frisco, TX

What sciatica is

Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through the buttock and down each leg. It happens when the nerve or one of its roots in the lower spine is pinched or irritated. People often feel sharp, burning or shooting pain, tingling or numbness that radiates down one leg.

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis by itself. The aim of an evaluation is to find what is causing it.

Our providers also evaluate other nerve pain conditions, including radiculopathy (pain from an irritated or pinched spinal nerve root) and peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain from diabetes or chemotherapy).

Common causes of sciatica

Several conditions can pinch or irritate the nerve:

• Herniated or slipped disc. Disc material presses on a nerve root.
• Lumbar degenerative disc disease. Gradual wear in the lower spine.
• Spinal stenosis. Narrowing of the spinal canal that crowds the nerves.
• Spondylolisthesis. A vertebra slips out of place.
• Piriformis syndrome. A tight muscle in the buttock presses on the nerve.
• Osteoarthritis. Joint changes that can irritate nearby nerves.

Stress does not usually cause sciatica directly, but it can add to muscle tension and make symptoms feel worse.

Common symptoms

Sciatica symptoms can vary from person to person. They may include:

• sharp, burning or shooting pain from the lower back or buttock down the leg;
• tingling, pins and needles or “electric shock” feelings in the leg, foot or toes;
• numbness or weakness in the leg or foot;
• pain that gets worse with sitting, bending or staying in one position for a long time.

When to see a pain specialist

Consider an appointment if leg pain from your lower back lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or limits sitting, walking or sleeping. Numbness, tingling or leg weakness are also good reasons to be seen.

Loss of bladder or bowel control, or sudden leg weakness, can be an emergency. Go to an emergency room or call 911 if this happens.

How we evaluate sciatica

Your provider aims to find the exact cause of your nerve pain. An evaluation may include:

• Medical history. Your symptoms, activity level and any past back problems.
• Physical exam. Strength, reflexes, flexibility and range of motion.
• Imaging. An X-ray, MRI or CT scan can show a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
• Nerve testing, if needed. Your provider may refer you for nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG), which measure how the nerves are working and can help pinpoint where one is compressed.

Which of these you need depends on your symptoms and exam.

Treatment options for sciatica

Treatment depends on the cause and on how long you have had symptoms. Many people start with less invasive care. Options your provider may discuss include:

• Epidural steroid injections, which place medicine near the irritated nerve root to reduce inflammation.
• Nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation, which may be considered when pain from spinal joints or nerves continues.
• Trigger point injections for muscle pain that adds to leg and buttock symptoms.
• Medication management, a careful plan for using pain medicine safely.
• PRP therapy, a regenerative option that some patients choose. Research on regenerative treatments is still developing, and these treatments are usually not covered by insurance.

Guidance on staying active and on daily habits, such as how you sit and move, is part of care too. Surgery is sometimes considered when other options have not helped enough, and your provider can discuss this with you if it comes up.

What to expect

At your first visit, you and your provider talk through your symptoms and you hear what may be causing them. You discuss which tests or treatments make sense for you. If a procedure is recommended, the team explains the steps, the possible risks and what recovery looks like before you decide. Patients are cared for by our providers.

Our only office is at 11500 State Highway 121, Suite 810, Frisco, TX 75035. Book an appointment online or call 214-618-9600. Questions first? Contact us.