Symptoms of sciatic nerve inflammation: the nature of the pain and its localization

Symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve: nature of pain and its localization

Diseases of the sciatic nerve are diagnosed quite often. They arise both as a result of the impact of a damaging factor (infection, cooling) directly on the nerve, and when the nerve is involved in the inflammatory process with pathology of the surrounding organs and tissues.

The sciatic nerve is the longest in the human nervous system. It begins in the coccyx area and passes through the buttock down the leg to the foot. Therefore, if the sciatic nerve is pinched, the pain spreads from the lower back to the back of the thigh, then to the lower leg, heel and toes. Sciatic nerve compression is called compression of the sciatic nerve, which causes irritation of the nerve tissue. Most often, compression occurs in the area of the piriformis muscle or spinal discs.

Treatment of pinched sciatic nerve

The cause of pinching can be diseases of the spine, in which the nerve roots are compressed by intervertebral hernias and bone growths that appear in osteochondrosis. Compression is often the result of severe curvatures of the spine and displacement of the lumbar vertebrae. Sciatica (pain in the area where the sciatic nerve passes) can be caused by an injury of soft tissues in the area where the nerve passes, a tumor of the spine or surrounding soft tissues, inflammatory processes, general or local hypothermia, physical exertion. In women, sciatica sometimes occurs in late pregnancy.

Symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve are pain that first concentrates in the coccyx, and then spreads to the back of the leg, numbness, tingling, weakness in the leg. During the examination, the doctor reveals characteristic pain points, loss of sensitivity in certain areas, vegetative-trophic disorders (disruption of blood supply to soft tissues, sweating, etc.).

Treatment of pinched sciatic nerve includes:

application of medicines;
remedial physical education classes;
massage;
physiotherapeutic procedures.

In the medical treatment of inflammation of the sciatic nerve, use:

NSAIDs of local and systemic action. Injections for sciatic neuralgia with severe pain are preferred over oral medications. Therefore, treatment usually begins with intramuscular administration of drugs prescribed by the doctor;
warming ointments/gels;
myorelaxants - drugs that reduce muscle tension;
vitamins of group B;
in severe cases - hormonal means.

Blockade of the sciatic nerve is performed when the standard treatment scheme is ineffective. Medicines (solutions of novocaine, lidocaine, diclofenac and others) are injected directly into the affected area by the doctor.

How to treat sciatica

Physiotherapy for sciatica helps reduce the inflammatory process, helps relieve pain and muscle spasm.

In case of sciatica, the following are indicated:

magnetotherapy;
UHF therapy;
electro- and phonophoresis with the use of medicinal products;
paraffin applications.

How to treat sciatica when the acute period is over? During the recovery period, manual therapy sessions are indicated. Massage of the area of the sciatic nerve in the period of exacerbation is recommended to be performed only on the healthy side and, depending on the improvement of the patient's condition, to gradually increase the volume and intensity of the procedures. Manual therapy and massage are aimed at preventing the recurrence of sciatica.

Exercises for pinched sciatic nerve contribute to the restoration of normal work of the lower limb. The patient is also taught how to walk properly. For preventive purposes, exercises should be performed regularly. Read more about the physical therapy complex for the prevention of sciatica on our website https://dobrobut.com

Prevention of sciatica

Prevention of inflammation of the sciatic nerve consists in timely treatment in the initial stages of the disease. After sciatica, all measures are aimed at preventing relapses. Patients are advised to avoid hypothermia: do not sit on a cold surface, do not bathe in cold water, wear warm underwear in winter. It is advisable to carry out gradual hardening of the body, to regularly perform a complex of exercise therapy.

Patients who are prone to frequent respiratory diseases should not carry them "on their feet". Heavy physical exertion should also be avoided as much as possible. With sciatica, which is based on congenital changes of the spine or its acquired curvature, it is recommended to wear a fixing corset.

Doctors also advise maintaining a normal weight, as obesity is a common cause of pinched sciatic nerve. It is necessary to monitor the posture, lift heavy objects correctly, that is, keeping the back straight and squatting to the load, and not leaning towards it. It is preferable to sleep on hard mattresses.