Sciatica is a series of symptoms that can occur if the sciatic nerve becomes pinched or compressed. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, and it runs from the base of the spine down through each of the legs. If it becomes compressed, you may experience pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness that extend throughout the entire nerve pathway, often on one side of the body. These symptoms can be annoying at best and debilitating at worst. If your symptoms are interfering with your ability to go about your daily routines, you can receive sciatica treatment in the Chapel Hill area at North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic.
Conservative Sciatica Treatment
The spine specialists at North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic take a patient-first approach to treatment. This means that whenever possible, we will recommend conservative treatments first and only consider invasive options like surgery if they become necessary. Conservative sciatica treatment options include:
- Pain and anti-inflammatory medications
- Heat and ice packs
- Steroid injections
- Physical therapy
Surgical Sciatica Treatment
If your symptoms persist or are more severe, surgery may be the most appropriate sciatica treatment option for you. At North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic, we offer minimally invasive spine procedures that can help address the underlying spinal condition. Depending on what’s causing the sciatic nerve compression, we may recommend a microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or another procedure.
Contact North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic today to schedule an appointment and learn more about your sciatica treatment options. We welcome residents of Chapel Hill and all nearby areas at our community-based clinic.