Finding Relief from Sciatica: Specialized Care Available Throughout Chicago and Northwest Indiana

A lot of people think sciatica isn’t a serious condition. And it’s true that some people only cope with mild symptoms over a short time. But for many, sciatica creates incredibly challenging changes in everyday comfort.

If you’re tired of trying different sciatica treatment options without reaching your goal of pain relief, consider meeting with Dr. Mohammad S. Shukairy to discuss additional options. 

Dr. Shukairy is a highly sought-after minimally invasive spine surgeon who has helped hundreds of patients from Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago metro area move beyond sciatica pain. 

Today, let’s discuss what sciatica is, how it develops, and how to address symptoms that aren’t responding to conventional treatment.

Most people will experience sciatica at one point or another

Your sciatic nerve (the longest in your body) begins in your lower back and reaches the buttocks before branching out to travel down both legs. Anything that compresses or irritates this nerve can cause pain, which is referred to as sciatica. 

Because your sciatic nerve is so long, there are plenty of opportunities for something to go wrong. Here are some of the common causes for sciatica:

• Osteoarthritis
• Pregnancy
• Tumors
• Cysts
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis

It isn’t always possible to find the exact cause of sciatica. Weight challenges significantly increase your risk for this type of pain, as excess weight can place pressure on your spine and all of its components. 

What does sciatica pain feel like?

The pain that arises from sciatica can develop at any site along the length of the nerve. Often, it develops somewhere between the lower back to the back of the thigh or calf. 

This discomfort can feel like mild aching to a sharp and stabbing pain. Some people report a sensation like an electric shock that shoots down the leg. The pain can intensify if you cough, bend, or sneeze. 

While it’s possible for sciatica to develop in both legs, it most often affects just one leg. 

Additional symptoms of sciatica include:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty lifting your foot while walking

Serious symptoms that should be assessed by a medical professional right away include loss of bowel or bladder control. 

What to do when treatments aren’t helping your sciatica

If you’ve tried numerous approaches to treating sciatica and aren’t getting the results you want, it may be time to consider surgical intervention. 

There are some sciatica causes that simply don’t respond well to more conservative treatment options, like physical therapy or steroid injections. 

For example, if a bone spur is irritating your sciatic nerve, nothing is going to change that source of irritation other than removing the abnormal bone tissue. A herniated disc is another great example of a spinal matter that often requires surgical correction. 

Most surgical procedures done to relieve sciatica pain are performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques. This means you can go home after your procedure and enjoy a shorter recovery time than what would be necessary with open surgery. 

If you’re excited to learn about all of your treatment options for sciatica, we’re excited to meet with you to discuss your specific set of needs. 

Booking a visit with Dr. Mohammad S. Shukairy at one of our offices in Highland, Crown Point, Hobart, or Merrillville, Indiana, is as easy as a quick phone call or a fast visit to our online booking tool.