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Sciatica Pain Management
Sciatica Diagnosis
In diagnosing sciatica, a doctor will take your medical history and perform an examination of the back, hips, and legs in order to test for strength, flexibility, sensation, and reflexes.
Other tests may include:
- X-rays
- MRI scans
- CT scans
- Nerve conduction studies to determine the health or disease of a nerve
Sciatica Treatment
Treatment for sciatica focuses on relieving pressure and inflammation. Typical sciatica treatments include:
- Medical treatments. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, oral steroids, or epidural steroid injections help to relieve inflammation.
- Epidural steroid injections. Steroids, with their strong anti-inflammatory effects, are delivered at the origin of the inflamed sciatic nerve roots.
- Physical therapy. This treatment helps to prevent further episodes of sciatica.
- Surgery. Surgery may be warranted if the sciatic nerve pain is severe and has not been relieved with appropriate manual or medical treatments.
Sciatica Outlook
Although sciatica can be very painful, it is rare for the disorder to cause permanent nerve damage. Most sciatica pain syndromes result from inflammation and will usually get better within a few weeks.
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience Center.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic
Reviewed by
Ephraim K Brenman, DO on January 28, 2008
Edited by
Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD on July 01, 2004
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