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Dr. Paresh Bang
Consultant Spine Surgeon
Surgery For Sciatica In Yavatmal
Surgery For Sciatica
The Surgery of the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve present in our body extending from the lower back to the back of each leg. When this nerve compresses or irritates, it causes pain, and the condition is called sciatica. The pain is usually felt in the buttocks and legs. Although the pain associated with the condition is severe, in most cases the pain may go naturally, but in a few, it can last for a year or more and may require surgery.
Signs and symptoms
Pain is the main and most common symptom of sciatica. It ranges from mild to severe and may become worse by sneezing, coughing, or sitting for a long time. Other symptoms of sciatica include numbness, a tingling sensation that radiates from the lower back to one or both the legs, and finally to your toes.
Causes
A “slipped disc” is the common cause of sciatica which occurs when one of the discs present between the spinal bones or vertebrae gets damaged and presses the nerves. However, the reason for the damage is still not known. As you become old, your discs become less flexible and more likely to rupture.
Risk factors
The conditions that increase the risk of sciatica include:
- Age: age-related changes in the spine or vertebrae, such as herniated disks and bone spurs
- Obesity: Being overweight increases the stress on your spine that triggers sciatica
- Prolonged sitting: if you have a sedentary lifestyle and sit for prolonged periods then you are more likely to develop sciatica than other people
- Diabetes: this condition increases the risk of nerve damage
Carrying heavy loads or driving motor vehicles for a long period might increase the risk of having sciatica.
Complications
The condition can be managed on its own without any treatment in few patients. But if the symptoms are persistent, and the condition is left untreated, then you may end up with permanent nerve damage. Therefore, do not ignore if you have loss of sensation or weakness in the affected leg, loss of bowel or bladder function.
Indications for Surgery
Surgery is usually recommended in a following situations:
- Severe, persistent pain: Sciatica pain that doesn’t improve with non-surgical treatments.
- Nerve damage: Progressive weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control: A medical emergency known as cauda equina syndrome, where nerve compression affects these functions.
- Impaired mobility: Difficulty walking or performing daily activities.
Common Surgical Procedures for Sciatica
- Microdiscectomy:
- This is the most common surgical treatment for sciatica, especially for cases caused by a herniated disc.
- The surgeon removes the part of the herniated disc that is pressing on the sciatic nerve.
- It is a minimally invasive procedure, often done through small incisions with the aid of the microscope.
- Recovery is typically quicker compared to more invasive surgeries.
- Laminectomy (or Lumbar Laminectomy):
- This procedure is used when spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) is causing sciatica.
- The surgeon removes part of the lamina (a portion of the vertebra) to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve pressure on the nerves.
- Sometimes, this is combined with a spinal fusion to provide stability.
- Foraminotomy:
- This surgery involves enlarging the space (foramen) through which the nerve roots exit the spine.
- It is performed when bone spurs or overgrown tissues are compressing the nerve.
- Spinal Fusion:
- In cases where there’s instability in the spine (from conditions like spondylolisthesis), a spinal fusion may be performed.
- Two or more vertebrae are fused together to stabilize the spine, but this procedure typically results in some loss of flexibility.
Risks and Recovery
- Risks: Like any surgery, sciatica surgery carries risks such as infection, bleeding, blood clots, nerve damage, or recurrent pain.
- Recovery:
- After minimally invasive surgeries like microdiscectomy, recovery may take 2-6 weeks, during which physical therapy is usually recommended to restore strength and mobility.
- More extensive procedures like spinal fusion require longer recovery, often 3-6 months, with limitations on physical activities during this time.
- Success Rates: Sciatica surgery is generally effective, with many patients experiencing significant pain relief. Success rates vary depending on the underlying cause of the sciatica and the patient’s overall health.
Non-surgical Alternatives
Before opting for surgery, many patients try non-surgical methods such as:
- Physical therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve spine alignment.
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and nerve pain medications.
- Epidural steroid injections: Corticosteroids injected near the nerve root to reduce inflammation and pain.Contact Us
Post-surgery Care
After surgery, it’s important to follow a comprehensive rehabilitation program:
- Physical therapy: Helps to regain strength, improve flexibility, and restore function.
- Lifestyle modifications: Maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture, and avoiding activities that strain the back are key to preventing recurrence.Visit Our Hospital