Sciatic Nerve Pain – Symptoms, Treatments and Causes Orange County & Irvine, CA

Your sciatic nerve is the single largest nerve in your entire body and runs from each side of your lower spine through your buttocks down the back of your thigh, all the way down to your foot. Any pain or discomfort that is felt along your sciatic nerve is considered to be sciatica.

Cause

Sciatica is mostly caused by spinal nerve compression in the lower back area. A variety of lower back problems, including a herniated disc near the L5 or S1 nerve root of the lower spine. The nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve are incredibly sensitive, not to mention that the inner portion of the disc that may herniate or extrude contains proteins that are easily irritated and inflammatory in nature.

Symptoms

Leg pain (in one leg or both) is the most common manifestation of sciatic nerve damage. This pain is often said to start in the lower back or buttock area and spread downward to the back of the thigh and into the lower leg or foot. The pain is generally sharp and intense, as opposed to a dull, throbbing ache.

Dr. Alexander can treat your sciatic nerve pain promptly and effectively. We work hard to custom tailor our approach to best suit the needs of our valued patients. We’ll always take the conservative route. If exercise, physical therapy, and medication can alleviate the underlying problem that creates your symptoms, then we will take that avenue. However, if you’re a good candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery or open spine surgery, we will give you the most concentrated and compassionate care available.

Contact Dr. Alexander today and we’ll take the first step towards a normal life together.