Sciatica Specialist
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D3 Pain Management
Dan D DuBose, MD
Pain Management Specialist located in Willow Park, TX
When you feel shooting or stabbing pains in one thigh, or your leg feels weak, you may have a condition known as sciatica. About 5-10% of men and women with low back pain also have sciatica, which Dan DuBose, MD, and his team diagnose and treat at D3 Pain Management in Willow Park, Texas. Get back on your feet, pain-free and comfortable, by booking a sciatica evaluation at D3 Pain Management today. Call the friendly office staff or use the online form.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a painful condition that occurs when your sciatic nerve — the largest nerve in your body — is compressed or damaged. In about 90% of cases, sciatica is caused by a slipped vertebral disc that impinges on the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve starts at the base of your lower back and then splits into a left and right branch. Each branch travels down your corresponding leg. You usually only develop sciatica in one branch of your sciatic nerve, although it’s possible to have sciatica on both sides of your body.
What are sciatica symptoms?
The classic symptom of sciatica is a sharp pain that shoots down your thigh. Other sciatica symptoms in your leg, foot, or buttocks could include:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Dull pain
- Burning sensation
- Pain that worsens when you cough or sneeze
- Pain while sitting
- Pain while standing up
- Weak leg or foot
If you have sciatica, you may have trouble walking, or feel like your affected leg is heavier or clumsier than normal.
Why do I have sciatica?
You’re more likely to develop sciatica as you age because all of your tissues — including your vertebral discs — get drier and weaker. A dry, weak vertebral disc is more likely to slip out of place or herniate, which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Other risk factors for sciatica are:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heavy lifting
- Sitting for long periods
- Driving for long periods
Smoking also dries out your vertebral discs, making them more likely to rupture and cause sciatica.
How do doctors treat sciatica?
With treatment, sciatica usually resolves within 4-6 weeks. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the experts at D3 Pain Management may recommend:
- Nonsteroidal antiinflammatories
- Hot-and-cold therapy
- Antidepressants
- Muscle relaxant
- Physical therapy
- Epidural injections
- Nerve root blocks
If you have chronic sciatica that doesn’t respond to these therapies, the experts at D3 Pain Management may recommend spinal cord stimulation (SCS). With SCS, you’re fitted with a device that sends electrical signals to interfere with and change pain signals so you don’t feel pain anymore. You first wear the device outside your body, on a belt, and if it effectively controls your pain, your doctor inserts the SCS device during a surgical procedure.
If you have back pain or sciatica, contact D3 Pain Management for relief today. Call the office directly during business hours or use the online form at your convenience.
