Inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Causes of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

The condition itself is popularly called radiculitis – pain occurs along the course of the sciatic nerve. From the lower back, it descends to the buttock and further along the back of the leg. The disease develops due to the fact that the sciatic nerve is compressed during intervertebral hernia, bone outgrowths on the vertebrae and stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal.

Doctors identify several causes of inflammation of the sciatic nerve:

• the appearance of neoplasms;
• displacement of the intervertebral disc or the occurrence of a hernia;
• infectious diseases that provoke the inflammatory process;
• gynecological diseases;
• osteophytes of the vertebrae (pathological growths on the vertebrae or other bones resulting from osteochondrosis).

Injuries to the pelvic organs, heavy loads on the body, and weight lifting can also be involved in the occurrence of sciatica. It is common among those people who have never played sports and abruptly decided to start with heavy loads.

There is also inflammation of the sciatic nerve in women in position, because during pregnancy the center of gravity shifts in the woman’s body and the load on the spine increases, which is not always ready for such changes.

— Causes of inflammation of the sciatic nerve can be divided into vertebral or associated with the spine: spondylosis, spondylarthrosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, degeneration of the intervertebral discs, injuries and tumor pathology of the spine. Extravertebral factors include piriformis syndrome, overload of the muscles of the lower back and pelvis, hypothermia, infectious and inflammatory diseases: herpes, tuberculosis, and others. Diseases of the abdominal cavity and genitourinary sphere. Perhaps toxic damage to the nerve as a result of alcohol intake and dysmetabolic processes in the body. Recently, great importance has been attached to violations of the myfascial network, says the doctor.

Symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

With inflammation of the sciatic nerve in people, the pain is so severe that it knocks it out of the normal rhythm of life, symptoms include:

• burning, shooting or stabbing pain in the back or limbs;
• constant pain all over the back of the leg;
• numbness in the legs, a feeling of cold, “goosebumps”;
• muscle weakness;
• violation of sensitivity and motor activity of the lower extremities.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve manifests itself differently in everyone: the pain occurs first in the lower back and gradually descends down the entire leg down to the fingertips. The intensity of pain can vary from mild to very severe.

Treatment of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Treatment of inflammation of the sciatic nerve should begin with a doctor’s appointment. The doctor must be told when the pain appeared, what it is by its nature (aching, sharp, backache), whether it manifests itself constantly or occurs periodically, in which parts of the body it spreads. The effectiveness of treatment depends on these stories. If you have taken painkillers yourself, be sure to tell your doctor their names.

After the conversation, the doctor will examine you, assess the condition of the skin and muscles, check for neurological symptoms and prescribe the necessary examination methods.

Treatment of sciatica is carried out in several stages: first, the doctor relieves pain, and those drugs are also used, the intake of which helps to reduce inflammation. Having eliminated the primary symptoms, active treatment begins: physiotherapy, massage, etc.

Achieving a positive effect largely depends on the patient himself. He will have to reconsider his lifestyle, start eating right, follow the regimen, and engage in physiotherapy exercises. Of course, lifting heavy weights is completely limited.

Diagnostics

In most cases, it is possible to determine whether a patient has sciatica after an initial examination. The doctor checks the patient’s reflexes, evaluates his gait, because people with inflammation generally begin to drag the leg, or the movement of the limb becomes unnatural. All because the leg loses sensation. The reason for this is the loss of sensation in the leg, weakening of the muscles or severe pain.

If the primary diagnosis can be carried out in the simple conditions of a hospital room, then it is much more difficult to understand what exactly caused the onset of the disease. To accurately identify the causes of inflammation of the sciatic nerve, you need to use advanced methods, such as MRI. It is magnetic resonance imaging that will help to identify a violation of the structure of the spine, displacement of intervertebral discs, cracks, injuries, hernia. This diagnostic method is characterized by high accuracy and maximum convenience for the patient.

Modern treatments

• Symptomatic therapy

This therapy is carried out in the acute period, when pain is the main problem. The doctor will ask you to retire – you need to reduce the load on both legs, even with a unilateral lesion. This is done because during lameness, there is still a lot of pressure on the sore leg, which can provoke increased pain. The basis of symptomatic therapy is drugs. For general strengthening of the body and the musculoskeletal system, chondroprotectors, nootropics, vasodilators, and antioxidants are prescribed.

• Etiotropic treatment

It is carried out both during the period of exacerbation and during the subsidence of pain, aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease. It is recommended to use manual therapy, massage, exercise therapy, defanotherapy and physiotherapy methods.

• Manual therapy

The principle of manual therapy is based on the manual impact on the musculoskeletal system by a specialist – a manual therapist – with a therapeutic purpose. The therapist acts directly on the musculoskeletal system – puts the vertebrae in place, returns the spine and joints to a physiological position, restores normal mobility. A course of manual therapy is prescribed if inflammation of the sciatic nerve is accompanied by backaches, limited flexion in the spine, and pulling pains in the leg.

• Massage

The doctor prescribes a course of massage when the pain has already subsided. It is necessary in order to relieve muscle spasm, which can contribute to pinching the roots of the spinal cord or sciatic nerve. Kneading the muscles promotes the expansion of blood vessels, improves blood flow to the affected area, relaxes the muscles of the back and lower back.

• Therapeutic exercise

Gymnastics for pinching the sciatic is needed in order to normalize muscle tone, correct deformations of the spinal column, and improve muscle function. Physical therapy classes include a set of exercises in standing and lying positions. This is not only a method of treatment, but also an excellent way of prevention.

Prevention of inflammation of the sciatic nerve at home

In order not to suffer from pinching and problems with the muscles and the spinal column, you need to do prevention. Therapeutic gymnastics and moderate physical activity, yoga, Pilates are perfect. Swimming on your back, aqua aerobics treatment will strengthen your back muscles.

At the first symptoms, a previous attack, women need to abandon their heels. In no case should you overcool – this is a companion of inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It is important to dress for the weather, cover your lower back and keep your feet warm.

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Comments Mikhail Mashkin, PhD, certified osteopath, chiropractor, orthopedist.