Sciatica is a pain that can occur in the lower back, hips, buttocks, and down the thighs. It is common for people to experience an ache in the inner muscles of their thigh and only on one side. Sciatica can happen for several reasons, and it is crucial to identify the root cause to treat the ailment effectively.
Patients may experience severe pain, but they don’t usually require surgical intervention. Here we talk about the diagnosis and treatment of Sciatica in detail.
When Should You Visit the Doctor?
Mild sciatica symptoms will go away within a week, especially if you take steps to address the pain and stiffness. However, if the pain doesn’t go away in a week and grows stronger over time, it is a good idea to visit an experienced medical professional for the problem. Dr. Russell Shah is a trained and highly experienced neurologist.
He recommends you come in for a consultation at Radar Medical if you have sudden severe pain or numbness, especially after an accident or injury. You should also visit the doctor if you have trouble controlling your bowel or bladder. Dr. Shah is one of the most reputed neurologists in the region. He treats patients with Sciatica and other conditions at Radar Medical, his private practice.
Diagnosis of Sciatica
The doctor will first attempt to isolate the root cause of the problem by carrying out several tests. He will also conduct a thorough physical examination to confirm whether it is Sciatica. Here’s a look at the diagnostic process:
- Physical Examination
The doctor will ask you to perform a series of movements like walking on your toes or heels, lifting your legs while lying on the back, rising from a squatting position. These activities will test your muscle strength and reflexes. If there’s something wrong with your sciatic nerve, these exercises will increase the pain.
- Imaging Tests
Your doctor will only order imaging tests if the pain lingers for several weeks without any relief. Issues like herniated disks or bone spurs will show up in the imaging tests like:
- X-Rays – An X-Ray will reveal herniated discs or any abnormal growth in the bone.
- MRI – MRI is a powerful imaging technology that will produce a cross-sectional image of your back. It will provide a detailed picture of your bone and tissue, which can help the doctor with their diagnosis.
- EMG – EMG stands for Electromyography, and it involves measuring electrical impulses generated by your nerves and your muscles’ response to it. This test is used to detect compressed nerves or spinal stenosis.
- CT Scan – A doctor might also recommend a CT scan to get a detailed image of the spinal cord and the nerves.
Patients with persistent or severe sciatica pain will need timely intervention from an experienced neurologist in Las Vegas, Nevada. Once Dr. Russell Shah has confirmed the sciatica diagnosis and isolated the root cause of it, he will create a treatment plan for it.
Treatment for Sciatica
The best neurologists in Las Vegas, NV recommend mild exercises, hot and cold treatment, and other at-home solutions for mild sciatica pain. If these solutions don’t work, they will provide a more comprehensive treatment plan like:
- Medication – The doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, muscle relaxants, anti-seizure medications, or tricyclic antidepressants for the treatment.
- Physical Therapy – Physical therapy and rehabilitative exercises are an essential aspect of sciatica treatment.
- Steroid Injection – The doctor might recommend corticosteroid injections to suppress inflammation at a nerve joint and reduce pain.
If other treatments don’t work, he might recommend surgical intervention. The best neurologist in Nevada, Dr. Russell Shah, and other experienced professionals in this field agree that most sciatica patients don’t require surgical intervention. People struggling with Sciatica and other related ailments can come to Radar Medical for the best diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
