Treatments for Sciatic Neuroma
Sciatic Neuroma, or sciatica is common problem related to issues in the lumbar spine. Sciatic neuroma is normally diagnosed through X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and electromyogram, which will look for herniated discs in the lower back that impinge nerves in the lower back. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with sciatic neuroma, it is important to understand what treatment options are available.
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Sciatic Neuroma
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Sciatic neuroma is when pain radiates down the sciatic nerve, which starts in the lumbar section of the spinal column. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and it runs from the lower back, through the buttock, and down into the thighs, providing nerve endings to the lower limbs. Patients with sciatic nerve trouble normally feel pain in their lower back that radiates down below the knees.
Bedrest
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Traditionally, bed rest has been the recommended treatment for sciatic neuroma because aggravation normally does not occur if one is lying down. However, a study in the Netherlands conducted by Dr. Patrick Vrooman concluded that patients did not show improvement from bed rest and suggests it is not an appropriate treatment for sciatic neuroma. Although it may be beneficial to decrease activity levels to help the pain subside, this study concluded that complete bed rest does not show sufficient results to have it as the primary treatment method. Many physicians are now focusing on other treatment methods to combat sciatica.
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Physical Therapy
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Physical therapy is one treatment option for sciatic neuroma. In physical therapy, your physical therapist will show you exercises that will focus on improving your posture, flexibility and exercises that will strengthen your back muscles. These exercises are normally done on a weekly or twice weekly basis in a physical therapist's office, but can sometimes be done at home once you have learned the correct method. Once the acute pain subsides, either through time or medications, a physical therapist may design a rehabilitation program for you to continue at home.
Medication
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Typical kinds of medications issued when a patient is suffering from sciatic neuroma are anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers and narcotics. Anticonvulsant drugs may be prescribed to reduce chronic pain by blocking pain messages in the brain. Although endorphins are the natural pain killers in your body, in some cases these are not enough to reduce pain caused from sciatic neuroma due to the sensitivity and compression of spinal nerves. Although anticonvulsant drugs may not provide a solution, it can help to reduce pain in sciatic neuroma patients.
Spine Injections
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More aggressive treatments include epidural steroid injections by a pain specialist. During the procedure, the specialist will inject steroids into the lumbar spine to reduce inflammation and pain.
Surgery
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Surgery for sciatic neuroma patients is usually reserved for cases where the compressed nerve causes incontinence, weakness and pain that gets progressively worse and where minimally invasive treatments do not offer relief.
Considerations
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If treatment is avoided, the pain or inflammation can impede tasks such as walking or lifting and may make work impossible as it can impair a person's ability to stand, drive a car and operate machinery.
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