Have you recently begun to find it difficult to sit or stand due to pain in the back of your legs? Has lower back pain made even the simplest of tasks impossible? These are some of the common symptoms associated with sciatica. Though you may not be well-versed with this condition, it is commonly treated here at New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates. Our experts in spine surgery in New York are prepared to properly diagnose your sciatica and determine a course of action that will get you back to living pain-free. While in some cases, non-invasive treatments are effective, surgery may sometimes be the only option for proper correction. When this is the case, you can trust that our talented spine surgeons can perform the necessary operation and have you feeling better in no time!

WHAT IS SCIATICA?

When you begin to experience pain along your sciatic nerve, this is known as sciatica.  While the sciatic nerve runs from the lower back into the legs, pain associated with this condition will usually only be felt on one side of the body. This pain or discomfort is the result of the sciatic nerve being pinched, most commonly caused by a herniated disc, bony growth, or overall narrowing of the spine. Common risk factors that can increase the chances of suffering from this condition include:

  • Age.
  • Prolonged sitting.
  • Obesity.
  • Diabetes. 

SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH SCIATIC NERVE PAIN:

Once the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, the symptoms that come along with it can impede your quality of life. Our team at New York Orthopedic Spinal Associates understands this and can offer the relief you need through proper surgical care. If you’ve been experiencing the below symptoms, spine surgery in New York may be the solution:

  • Burning or tingling in the leg.
  • Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving your leg or foot.
  • Hip pain.
  • Lower back pain.
  • Pain in the back of the legs when sitting.

SPINE SURGERY IN NEW YORK:

After dealing with sciatic pain for an extended period, it may seem as though there is no end in sight. However, with the help of our talented staff, you’ll be able to return to a life free of sciatic pain by undergoing our spine surgery in New York. Depending on the cause and severity of your condition, any of the following procedures may be considered as a means of treatment:

  • Microdiscectomy: For those whose sciatica is caused by a herniated disc, a microdiscectomy can be performed. During this operation, the part of the disc pressing up against the sciatic nerve will be removed.
  • Laminectomy: Your lamina is the back part of a vertebra that covers your spinal canal. When part or all of the lamina is removed to make more room for spinal nerves, it is known as a laminectomy.
  • Foraminotomy: If a bony overgrowth has begun to pinch against the sciatic nerve, our surgeons may recommend a foraminotomy for treatment. During this operation, we will remove the overgrowth. This will allow for any pressure being placed on the nerve to be relieved.
  • Facetectomy: One final surgery that may be performed is a facetectomy.  The sciatic nerve may be getting pinched as a result of degenerated facet joints, which is what this operation will correct. These joints may be trimmed, undercut, or removed completely to eliminate the pressure causing sciatica.

SPINE SURGERY IN NEW YORK:

On most occasions, sciatica is a condition that can be resolved with non-invasive measures. Unfortunately, not everyone is that lucky. When surgery is required to treat your sciatica, you can trust our team at New York Orthopedic Spinal Associates is here to help. With our team consisting of experts in spine surgery in New York, you’ll be on track to returning to a life free of sciatic pain in no time. To learn more about sciatica and how spine surgery can help you, be sure to contact us today!