When you experience a severe, burning, electric-like shock on your back radiating to your legs, that is sciatica. This is a common condition, especially for chronic back pain affecting about 10% of those and affecting your life quality. Sciatica Washington, PA, specialists offer both nonsurgical and surgical interventions for sciatica and can help alleviate your pain, restore your mobility and improve the overall quality of your life. The condition mainly occurs when your sciatic nerve is pinched or compressed, but more is there to learn about the disease. Here are some facts you might not know about the situation. Have a look.
Some People are More Susceptible to Sciatica
Anyone can develop sciatica. However, middle-aged adults and men are more susceptible to sciatica. Studies show that men are three times more affected by sciatica than women. Also, they indicate that young people in their 20s can develop the condition, but it is more common in adults in their 40s and 50s. Therefore, your risks for sciatica are higher if you are a man and middle-aged.
Diabetes Can Feel Like Sciatica
Sometimes experiencing numbness, burning, and shooting sensations in your legs could be more than sciatica. Diabetes can also mirror sciatica pain. It would help if you did not always assume all shooting leg pain is sciatica but got an accurate diagnosis from your doctor. But sciatica and diabetes are much different. Diabetes will cause peripheral neuropathy, while sciatica involves compression of the sciatic nerve in your spinal cord.
Our Walking Can Change with Sciatica
Sometimes you can cope with sciatica by adjusting your walking style to alleviate the leg pain. This can lead to an antalgic gait due to adjusting your stride length on your affected leg. This is mainly a response to the pain but can cause limping. Although you might feel some pain relief, there are better ways to manage sciatica pain than a limp. Talk to your doctor to understand how you can attain long-lasting comfort.
Sciatica is Well Known but Not Much Common
Many people know of sciatica pain, but only relatively few people have suffered the condition. While herniated disc or lumbar bulging is the most common reason behind sciatic pain, it only causes sciatica symptoms about 5%. Therefore, it is less unlikely to experience sciatica pain as it is known.
You Can Treat Sciatica at Home
Some mild cases of sciatica can go away at home with simple self-treatments. But sometimes, it can be excruciating, requiring immediate and comprehensive treatment. Therefore, do not be surprised when you see your doctor for your back pain, and they recommend simple self-help therapies. You can find pain relief through over-the-counter medications, exercise, and hot or cold therapy. Mild cases can resolve themselves within three months. But don’t wait for your pain to go away without an expert diagnosis.
Sciatica Can Warrant Immediate Care
Sciatica can lead to significant health concerns if not well managed. Although it rarely requires surgery, you can find yourself in the emergency room. Watch for neurological symptoms like tingling, numbness, and weakness, and report to your doctor. If you lose your bowel control, this could be the end of sciatica, and you need urgent medical attention.
Contact the Steel City Spine and Orthopedic Center sciatica specialists for help if you have been diagnosed with sciatica or chronic back pain. Schedule your consultation appointment to learn how you can manage your symptoms.
