Sciatica Surgery
Surgery for sciatica is usually considered when leg pain and/or weakness is persistent or progressive even after several methods of non-surgical sciatica treatments have been tried. In a few cases, surgery may be considered as the first option
The symptoms of sciatica are commonly felt along the path of the large sciatic nerve. Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following features:
Pain
Sciatica pain is typically felt like a constant burning sensation or a shooting pain starting in the lower back or buttock and radiating down the front or back of the thigh and leg and/or feet.
Numbness
Sciatica pain may be accompanied by numbness in the back of the leg. Sometimes, tingling and/or weakness may also be present.
One-sided symptoms
Sciatica typically affects one leg. The condition often results in a feeling of heaviness in the affected leg. 1 Rarely, both legs may be affected together.
Posture induced symptoms
Sciatica symptoms may feel worse while sitting, trying to stand up, bending the spine forward, twisting the spine, lying down, and/or while coughing. The symptoms may be relieved by walking or applying a heat pack over the rear pelvic region.
Sciatica is a term used to describe a set of symptoms caused by an underlying medical condition; it is not a medical diagnosis.
Common medical conditions that may cause sciatica include:
- A herniated lumbar disc
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Lumbar degenerative disc disease, general degenerative changes in vertebrae or discs
- Spondylolisthesis
- Muscle spasm and/or inflammation of the lumbar and/or pelvic muscles
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Rarely, tumors, blood clots, or other conditions in the lower spine may cause sciatica
Surgical Considerations for Sciatica
When Surgery Becomes the Primary Option
A few examples where surgery is considered as a first option are:
- Cauda equina syndrome—a medical emergency where nerve roots of the cauda equina are compressed and motor and sensory function in the lower body are lost.
- Tumors, collection of fluid (cyst or abscess), or severe fractures in the lumbar spine
- Bilateral sciatica—sciatica affecting both legs, may be caused by multiple level disc herniation, severe single level herniation, or central spinal stenosis
- Infection in the pelvic region that does not respond to medication.
In addition, surgery may be considered when leg pain and/or weakness persists for more than 6 to 8 weeks despite nonsurgical treatments and/or when pain affects everyday activities.
Microdiscectomy
Typically its performed for a herniated disc, a microdiscectomy, also called a microdecompression, relieves the pressure on a spinal nerve root by removing the material causing the pain.
Microdiscectomy is considered to have relatively high rates of success, especially in relieving leg pain (sciatica). Patients are usually able to return to a normal level of activity fairly quickly.
Lumbar microdiscectomy may be indicated when :
- Imaging evidence (eg, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ray x or computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast) shows a disc herniation that corresponds with the patient’s signs and symptoms
- Progressive neurological symptoms and disabling pain are constant or worsen despite 6-8 weeks of nonsurgical treatments
- Leg pain is the dominant symptom and more severe than back pain
To determinate if you are candidate for SCIATICA PROCEDURE please send by email a recent AP and Lateral X-Ray of the Lumbar Spine and a simple MRI of the Lumbar Spine
Also share a breaf story about your symptoms
We will get back to you shortly !
Contact Dr. Oscar Morales Lepe
Orthopedic Doctor
Specialist in All Types of Spine Disorders
Email Address:
spinesurgerypuertovallarta@gmail.com
Address
CMQ PREMIERE HOSPITAL: Av. Francisco Villa 1749, Vallarta Villas, 48313 Puerto Vallarta, Jal.
Website
www.spinesurgerypuertovallarta.com
Our Orthopedic Specialist have extensive knowledge in the care and treatment of all spinal conditions, including congenital deformities, degenerative diseases, spinal tumors, and spinal trauma, in both adults and children.
Members of professional spine societies, including the Mexican Association of Spinal Surgeons (AMCICO), the AOSpine, the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the Mexican Federation of Orthopedic and Traumatology Colleges (FEMECOT), as well as local medical societies. The Orthopedic Team are continually strive to increase our awareness of new advances in the field by attending meetings and courses to learn about the latest advances in spinal care and surgery.
