About this topic
You may have pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling that runs from your buttocks down the back of your leg to your feet. This is called sciatica. It happens when something is pressing on or bothering the sciatic nerve. This large nerve starts in your lower back. It runs all the way down the back of your leg. ‚
Sciatica is a sign of some other health problem that involves the nerve. It most often happens on just one side. Most of the time, sciatica will get better without needing surgery. Treating the health problem that is causing the pain can make this condition go away. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask the doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what to do.
- Take drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Rest. Avoid activities that make the problem worse.
- Ice may help with pain. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- If your doctor tells you to use heat, put a heating pad on your lower back or neck for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns. Sometimes alternating heat and ice can lessen pain.
- If you are having trouble walking, use a cane, walker, or crutches to help you get around and lower your chances of falling or getting hurt.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send you to physical therapy (PT) or a chiropractor for treatments to lessen pain and to learn the right exercises to do.
- Your doctor may also send you to a neurologist. This is a doctor who specializes in treating nerve problems.
- If you do not get better with treatment, your doctor may need to send you to an orthopedic surgeon.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
The doctor may give you a shot of an anti-inflammatory drug called a corticosteroid. This will help with swelling. Talk with your doctor about the risks of this shot. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
You may need to rest for a while. You should not do physical activity that makes your health problem worse. Talk to your doctor if you run, work out, or play sports. You may not be able to do those things until your health problem get better. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Long-term back pain
- Loss of feeling or movement in the legs or feet
- Weight gain, less muscle strength and flexibility, weaker bones
- Need for surgery
- Infection
- Loss of bowel and bladder function
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible. Warm up slowly and stretch before you exercise.
- Use good posture.
- Use proper ways to lift and bend:
- Spread your feet apart so you have a good base of support. Then, bend with your knees when you pick up something from the ground.
- When lifting and moving an object, keep your back straight. Keep the object as close to your body as possible. Do not twist. Instead, move your feet to the direction you are going.
- Take breaks often when seated for long periods of time. Get up and walk around from time to time.
- If you stand for long periods, put one leg up on a small stool for a while. Then, change legs.
- If you sleep on your side, put a pillow in between your knees to keep your back and legs in a good position.
- Use good supportive footwear. Avoid high heels.
- Keep a healthy weight.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Redness or swelling on the back or spine
- Pain with passing urine or blood in the urine
- Loss of control of urine or stools
- More pain or numbness in your leg or foot
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Water exercise or biking may help you stay in shape without making your problem worse.
- The right exercises for sciatica will depend on what the problem is that is causing the pain. Talk with your doctor about which stretches are best for you.
- Stretching may be slightly painful but should never give sharp pains. If it is painful, ease up until you only feel mild stretching. All stretching exercises should be held for 20 to 30 seconds to be most helpful. Repeat 2 to 3 times. Do 2 to 3 times each day to get the best results.
- Lie on your back. Bend up the knee of the painful side until your foot is even with the other knee. Keeping your shoulders down, slowly drop the bent knee across the other leg. Do this until you feel a stretch in your buttocks.
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. If the problem is on your right leg, cross your right leg over your left leg. Reach your right arm in between your thighs and clasp your hands around your left thigh. Slowly pull the left thigh up towards your chest until you feel stretching in the right buttock.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain or numbness in my leg or foot.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00351 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚