Inflammation or pinching of the sciatic nerve in medical practice is called sciatica. This disease is experienced by people after 40 years of age, but it may also appear at an earlier age. Severe pain syndrome, characterizing its development, causes discomfort and restricts movement. Therapy of pathology in each case is selected individually. Some patients have enough massage, others require surgical care, and still others are limited to Diclofenac ointment. Instructions for use, price and its features will also be discussed in the article.
Causes of Sciatica
The sciatic nerve originates in the spinal cord and continues to the phalanges of the toes. In the knee, it bifurcates: one part is responsible for the innervation of the lower leg, and the other - the feet. This structure also provides sensitivity to the muscles of the lower extremities. It regulates the connection of tissues of these areas with the central nervous system.
What can make a person stiffen the sciatic nerve? Symptoms of the problem appear after a long stay in a draft, in cold water, or as a result of hypothermia of the whole organism. The inflammatory process can also be caused by an infringement of this structure. A similar situation occurs with degenerative lesions of the spine.
Among the main causes of inflammation are the following:
- hypothermia of the body;
- infectious diseases (tuberculosis, herpes zoster, flu, etc.);
- spinal injuries;
- osteophytes;
- diabetes;
- gout;
- heavy metal intoxication;
- spinal stenosis.
An inactive lifestyle, mainly sedentary work, weight lifting, can contribute to the development of inflammation.
Clinical picture
If a person has frozen a sciatic nerve, symptoms of pathology arise gradually. At first they appear in the form of discomfort in the lower back, tension in the legs. As the disease progresses, they are supplemented by shooting, sharp pain during walking and when bending. This is the most common sign of pinching of the sciatic nerve. The pain gives in the leg in some patients even at night with another attempt to roll over. During physical activity, discomfort intensifies. A person gets tired pretty quickly, complains of a general malaise. His appetite worsens, restrictions on movements appear. Perhaps a decrease in the sensitivity of tissues at the site of the lesion, which is accompanied by a feeling of "goosebumps", numbness.
As a rule, inflammation appears on one side. Bilateral lesion is rare, with each movement being performed with great effort. There is a spasm of the gluteal muscles.
Neglecting treatment and ignoring the symptoms can lead to serious consequences:
- muscle tissue atrophy;
- lack of reflexes in the lower extremities;
- problems with urination and bowel movements.
When it becomes impossible to stop pain in the leg while walking, patients seek medical help.
Diagnostic Methods
If you suspect inflammation, you should consult a neurologist. Diagnosis of the disease begins with the study of complaints and the results of various tests:
- Symptom Sikara. When flexing the foot, pain occurs.
- Symptom Lasega. In the supine position, extension of the lower limb is accompanied by discomfort in the thigh muscles.
- Symptom of landing. Pain in the lower back, aggravated in a sitting position by extension of the knee.
To clarify the causes of inflammation, the patient is assigned a radiography in several projections, CT and MRI. Additionally, a general analysis and blood biochemistry are prescribed to identify indirect signs of intoxication, an autoimmune reaction.
First aid
The causes and symptoms of sciatica, many can only guess until inflammation occurs. A pinched nerve happens suddenly, and it is almost impossible to predict it. In a similar situation, a person needs emergency assistance:
- It must be laid on the stomach. It is better to choose a hard and even surface (e.g. floor). A cambering bed can only exacerbate the situation. Under the chest should be put a roller or a small pillow.
- The loin must be freed from clothing. Apply any anti-inflammatory ointment to the inflamed area. Each home medicine cabinet contains Diclofenac, Nimesulide, or Ibuprofen.
- After stopping the pain of a person, you need to turn it on your back, and put a pillow under the lower back.
Hot-water bottles, warming compresses or rubbing can not be used with sciatica. At the initial stage, this can aggravate the course of inflammation, worsen the condition of the patient.
Treatment options
If the sciatic nerve has frozen, the symptoms of pathology can not be ignored. Over time, they significantly degrade the quality of life. After passing the examination and confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes therapy. It should be prepared for the fact that the treatment will be long. Usually it includes medication and physiotherapy, massage.
Drug use
Treatment begins with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation and relieve pain. With sciatica, Ketonal, Nise, and Ibuprofen are usually prescribed. First, drugs are used in the form of intramuscular injections. After they switch to tablets and supplement them with external agents. Capsicum-based ointments (Capsicam) have a good effect.
To remove muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are used (Sirdalud, Midokalm). In a hospital, patients receive novocaine blockade in order to block nerve impulses that provoke pain attacks. Vitamins of group B are also useful. For pain in the back, they work like analgesics. Belonging to the category of neurotropes, they positively affect the function of nerve cells.
The most popular drug in the treatment of sciatic nerve inflammation is Diclofenac. The drug is available in the form of injections, tablets or ointments. Its action is directed:
- to stop inflammation and pain;
- relieving muscle spasm;
- decrease in puffiness;
- restoration of the motor apparatus.
The quickest way to relieve a patient of sciatica symptoms is by injections. They resort to their help at the beginning of therapy. Then they switch to tablets or ointment.
This tool has proven itself as an analgesic, but has many contraindications. It should be used with caution in people with diseases of the heart, kidneys and liver, gastrointestinal tract. This is evidenced by the instructions for use with Diclofenac ointment. The price of the drug varies depending on the form of release. For example, you will have to pay about 50 rubles for packing a pill, and a tube of ointment costs about 200 rubles.
Physiotherapy and massage
In addition to the course of medicines, physiotherapy is prescribed. Their action is aimed at restoring metabolism in the affected area, improving blood circulation and stimulating muscle fixation. The following procedures are considered the most effective:
- traction;
- phonophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- electrophoresis;
- paraffin therapy.
Procedures are best done in courses of 7 sessions, then you should take a break. If necessary, repeat the treatment or choose a different method of exposure.
Sciatica massage improves lymph drainage and blood circulation. Contraindications to his appointment are purulent tissue damage, skin diseases, spinal injuries. There are several varieties of massage in the inflammatory process:
- Relaxing. Assign during an exacerbation.
- Therapeutic. They are done for the purpose of prevention.
- Vacuum. It is carried out using special cans.
- Point. The exposure is carried out at acupuncture points. Performed by fingertips.
Perform massage only by a qualified professional.
Surgical intervention
When traditional methods of treatment fail, leg pain while walking and other symptoms persist for more than 8 weeks, surgery is performed. The choice of a specific type of intervention depends on the root cause of the pathology.
When the inflammation is caused by a hernia of the spine, a microdisectomy is prescribed. This is a minimally invasive intervention that is performed using a special microscope. The surgeon's task is to remove the hernia and not damage healthy bone structures.
If the pathology is associated with trauma or narrowing of the spinal canal, a laminectomy is recommended. With its help, it is possible to stop the compression of the roots and sciatic nerve. During the operation, the doctor makes an incision, pushes the muscles and fatty tissue. Then, a part of the vertebral arch is excised. For decompression, it is necessary to additionally remove the formation that compresses the root.
General treatment recommendations
During the course of therapy and after its completion, the patient is recommended:
- observe bed rest with an exacerbation of pathology;
- it is forbidden to lift weights, play sports;
- swimming is allowed if the water temperature is more than 20 degrees;
- should not be in the same position for a long time;
- better to give up alcohol.
If a person has already frozen a sciatic nerve, it is important to pay attention to the symptoms and start treatment immediately. Relapse prevention is reduced to strengthening the muscles of the back, controlling posture, an active lifestyle.