The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, extending from your lower back down to your feet. When it becomes compressed or otherwise inflamed, a painful condition called Sciatica can occur. Symptoms of Sciatica can include pain, tingling, or numbness that radiates from the lower back, down the back of one leg, and into your foot.
Most people find relief from Sciatica through non-surgical options such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, injections, and stretching, but when those methods fail to bring relief, some people can benefit from surgical intervention to release the nerve pressure.
Because the pressure that compresses the sciatic nerve is often brought about by an injured or herniated disk in the spine, a surgical procedure called laminectomy with discectomy may be performed. During this surgery, part of (or all) of the lamina – the vertebral bone – will be removed to create space for the impinged nerve.
After surgery for Sciatica, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help strengthen your back muscles. It’s important to heed the advice of your physical therapist and be gentle on your healing back while getting the proper kinds of beneficial exercise to help minimize chances of a reoccurrence.
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