Sciatica Treatment Los Angeles
Though sciatica can have several different causes, it almost always results in pain. For some patients, it may be a minor discomfort. But others will notice a radiating pain that significantly impacts your quality of life. At Yashar Neurosurgery, we focus on providing patients with an individualized treatment designed to alleviate any symptoms associated with your sciatica.
Dr. Yashar is one of the top spine surgeons in Los Angeles, and he has already helped countless patients achieve a more comfortable life. If you are living with sciatica, don’t hesitate to call. You deserve to live your life to the fullest uninhibited by spinal problems. Call us today to learn more about treatment options and what we can do for you.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain along the sciatic nerve. This longer nerve runs from your lower back to your buttocks and down each leg. Patients suffering from sciatica tend to feel pain radiating from the sciatic nerve on one side of their body. Though the pain can vary, it very often is quite severe and requires treatment.
Fortunately, many patients can resolve this condition without the need for surgery. Instead, it is possible to treat the pain with non-operative treatments over a span of a few weeks.
Do I Need Surgery for Sciatica?
Most cases of sciatica do not require treatment, and Dr. Yashar will help you move toward a life without pain. However, severe sciatica may best be resolved through a surgical procedure. Below are some signs that you may be a candidate for surgery.
- Significant and regular weakness in your legs
- Changes in bowel movements and bladder
- Pervasive pain that interferes with daily life
The first step to resolving your sciatica is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Yashar. During this personal consultation, he will work with you to examine your condition and understand your unique needs. The human body is incredibly complex, and what may work for one patient may not be the best choice for another. With Dr. Yashar, you can count on receiving treatment that is entirely tailored to your situation.
Sciatica Treatment Options
The type of treatment that is best for you depends on your individual situation. Some patients may find relief through non-surgical options such as:
- Physical therapy
- Stretching
- Exercising
- Additional lifestyle changes
- Medication
Often, you will see the highest chances of success if you combine multiple treatments together. For example, medication may provide pain relief while exercising and lifestyle changes can decompress the pinched nerve. Only about 5-10% of patients will need to resort to surgery. It is typically a last resort, as it does require commitment and a significant recovery period. However, it is certainly what many patients need in order to alleviate symptoms and return to a comfortable life. Surgical options include:
- Diskectomy: Whatever is pressing on the nerve is removed. Usually this is only a piece of the disc, but extreme cases may require removal of the entire disc.
- Laminectomy: Dr. Yashar removes the ring of bone around the spinal cord called the lamina. This along with any compressing tissue is removed to remove pressure from the nerve.
What Causes Sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is spinal stenosis. When a herniated disc or bone spur compresses part of the sciatic nerve, you will certainly feel it. This compressed nerve can come about naturally as you age, but it can also result from injury. Traumatic events such as severe sports injuries or car accidents have often been the cause of a patient’s sciatica. In rarer cases, the compression can be caused by a tumor or diabetes.
While there is no single factor that will guarantee preventing or contracting sciatica, there are several things that can pose risks. Risk factors include:
- Age: As we age, our spines naturally undergo changes. Age-related causes are the most common for sciatica.
- Obesity: Additional weight increases the stress on your spine, which can trigger sciatica.
- Occupation: Some jobs can put additional pressure on your spine. Twisting, lifting, and driving all can factor into it.
- Prolonged sitting: If you spend much time seated and have a sedentary lifestyle, you may be more prone to sciatica.
- Diabetes: Diabetes increases the risk of nerve damage.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you have sciatica, you do not need to continue living in pain. Take the next step in achieving a life that you deserve by scheduling a consultation today. Dr. Yashar and his staff work closely with each patient to find the right solution for you. We look at your previous surgeries and evaluate what is the best path forward for you.
We look forward to working with you and helping you move toward a life of comfort and pain-free existence. Call us today to learn more about the treatments and procedures we offer. Fight back against sciatica and achieve a better state of being.
I REALIZED THAT DR. YASHAR GENUINELY CARES TO CURE HIS PATIENT, WHICH MAKES HIM AN EXCEPTIONAL DOCTOR IN THE CITY.
