Sciatic nerve inflammation is a rather unpleasant neurological disease, which is accompanied by strong pain sensations. Therefore, when it appears, it is important to immediately turn to an experienced neurologist. Only a specialist can facilitate the manifestation of pathology and prevent the occurrence of relapses.
What is sciatica
Inflammation of the sciatic nerve or sciatica is a condition in which the roots of the lumbosacral spine located in the spinal cord are affected. In this case, the pain is localized at the bottom of the back and in the back of the thigh.
The photo shows where the sciatic nerve is located. In the same place and occurs its inflammation:
During pregnancy, sciatica can seriously disrupt the health of a woman, as it significantly reduces her physical activity and causes severe pain. Causes for inflammation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy can be many - trauma, hypothermia, infection.
Because it is very important to see a doctor right away. Only a specialist can choose the right treatment, because many drugs during pregnancy are contraindicated.
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Causes of
Often the inflammatory process is a consequence of the intervertebral hernia, which presses on the nerve. Often, this pathology arises as a complication of neglected form of osteochondrosis, in which the gap between the vertebrae decreases, which becomes the cause of squeezing of the sciatic nerve.
Also common causes of sciatica development include the following:
- Subcooling.
- Traumatic injury.
- Changing the shape of the vertebrae.
- Infectious diseases.
- Nerve irritation - tumors, muscles, bones.
- Constipation.
- Arthritis.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Internal bleeding.
- Gynecological diseases.
Symptoms and signs of the disease
The main symptom of the inflammatory process is pain, which is usually localized in the lower limbs. This provokes a loss of sensitivity of the legs, contributes to impaired motor activity.
Pain sensations can be different and can have sharp, pulling, burning or stitching. Usually there are attacks of pain, in which the acute period can be replaced by a relative calm.
As a rule, a person experiences uncomfortable sensations only from one side. The only exception is bilateral sciatica. If this pathology is accompanied by intense pain, it gives the patient a lot of suffering, because any attempt to make at least a step leads to an aggravation.
Sometimes inflammation manifests itself with rather mild symptoms. In this case, most often there is a loss of sensitivity, there are tingling and numbness in the legs.
Since the sciatic nerve is closely associated with peripheral filaments located in the nervous system, urinary or fecal incontinence may develop over time.
Diagnosis
To determine the diagnosis, a comprehensive examination should be performed, including:
- Inspection of a neurologist. It can be supplemented by consultation of a vascular surgeon, vertebrologist or rheumatologist.
- Tomographic examination.
- Clinical analysis.
- X-ray of the spine. Be sure to perform in several positions - lying and sitting.
Methods of treatment
How to treat sciatica inflammation, decide necessarily according to individual characteristics, but usually therapies include:
- Medication.
- Physiotherapy.
- Therapeutic physical training.
- Massage.
The maintenance of a correct mode plays the big role. It is very important that the patient is lying on a hard bed. Until signs of acute inflammatory process subsided, motor activity should be minimized.
Prior to the elimination of pain, bed rest should be observed. How to remove sciatica inflammation in this or that case, the attending physician decides.
Medical therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are actively used for the treatment of sciatic nerve inflammation.
With their help, it is possible to suspend the action of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that takes part in the production of prostanoids.
In addition, these drugs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. These include:
- diclofenac;
- ibuprofen;
- orthophane;
- sulindac;
- indomethacin;
- ketorolac;
- Naproxen.
There are safer drugs that do not irritate the digestive tract. These funds can be used for a longer time.
Gentle preparations with sciatica nerve inflammation:
- nimesulide;
- arkoxia;
- movalis.
If the pain sensations are of high intensity, short courses of hormonal drugs for the treatment of sciatica inflammation can be prescribed.
They help to defeat the pain syndrome, but can not cope with the cause of inflammation. In addition, their use has many side effects.
Vitamins can also be prescribed as additional agents. In sciatica, vitamins of group B, E are especially useful. Also, preparations are shown that help to relax muscles and improve metabolism.
Injections and ointments
As an extreme measure with a sharp exacerbation of the disease, injections are prescribed. This method is used if conservative therapy does not produce the desired results.
Injection with sciatica inflammation should only be performed by a specialist.
Injections of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in inflammation are made as close as possible to the sciatic nerve. This allows you to immediately affect the affected area, which ensures a quick result.
For external use use a variety of ointments, gels, patches. You can apply the following ointments:
- "Virapine";
- "Naftalgin";
- "Finalgon";
- "Salinity";
- Viprosal.
In the treatment of the inflammatory process, ointments with mustard oil, propolis, turpentine are well recommended. With the use of these funds, the nerve becomes active, blood circulation increases, and the affected area warms up.
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Surgical treatment of
This type of treatment is required only if there is a serious disruption in the operation of the pelvic organs. If a pathology of the intervertebral disc is detected, then microsurgical intervention is performed.
Using a special instrumentation, an operation called microdiscectomy is performed. During this procedure, remove a portion of the displaced disc that presses the nerve.
Massage and physiotherapy
Massage can be performed after the exacerbation has ended. With this procedure, it is possible to improve blood circulation, reduce pain, increase nerve conduction, prevent muscle hypotrophy.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are quite effective in sciatica - phonophoresis, electrophoresis, compresses, warming up. During such procedures, it is possible to administer medications that significantly accelerate the recovery process.
Often used antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, muscle relaxants.
Therapeutic exercises and gymnastics
To eliminate inflammation, exercises are used that improve blood circulation in the lumbar region and reduce pain.
The most effective are the following:
1. Raising the legs.
Lie on your back, legs bend at the knees. From this position, raise one foot by 30 cm and hold for 10 seconds. Return to the original position and do the same with the second leg. Run at a slow pace 8-12 times.
2. Exercise with the ball.
Lie on your back, pinch the ball between your legs, bend your knees. Holding the ball, raise your legs 30 cm from the floor. Move the ball to the left and hold for 10 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat the same on the right side. Do 10 repetitions.
3. Push-ups from the wall.
Stand with your hands against the wall. Slowly bend your elbows and also return to the original position. Do 10-15 repetitions.
Folk remedies
Similar recipes can be used only after consulting a doctor, as they have many contraindications.
- Can massage. Lubricate the affected area with a warming cream, put the jar and move it, performing circular motions. Do this every other day for 10 minutes.
- Beeswax. Warm up the wax in a water bath so that it has a soft consistency. Make a flat cake and put on the affected area. Top with tape, cotton and bandage. Leave it overnight. Repeat the procedure for a week.
- Tincture of pine buds. Take pine buds, pour them with vodka and insist in a dark place. Do this for a week. Wipe the infusion with the infested place.
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Consequences of
If the treatment is started in time, it is possible to prevent the appearance of dangerous health consequences and forget about this unpleasant disease. If this is not done, serious complications can develop. This can be partial muscle atrophy, loss of sensation in the legs, incontinence of urine and feces.
Preventive measures
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, the muscles weaken and it is difficult for them to hold their back. As a result, various pathologies develop which cause sciatica nerve inflammation. To avoid this, you need to engage in the prevention of sciatica.
The main activities include:
- Moderate athletic loads, strengthening of the muscular corset.
- Use of foods high in calcium and magnesium.
- Elimination of asymmetry of the trunk by using manual therapy.
- Strengthening the arms and stretching the spine by hanging on the bar.
- Timely correction of posture in childhood.
- Performing the deflections of the back on all fours.
Sciatic nerve inflammation is accompanied by severe pain and can lead to negative health effects. Therefore, it is so important at the first signs of pathology to see a doctor who will choose an adequate treatment.
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