open
close

Sciatic nerve sciatica symptoms and treatment drugs. Drug treatment of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Pinched sciatic nerve, otherwise called sciatica, affects a huge number of people. Experiencing excruciating pain, I want to get rid of it as soon as possible and find ways to treat a pinched sciatic nerve. There are many reasons for inflammation and pinched nerves: constant hypothermia of the body, excessive physical activity, diseases of the spine. In order to alleviate the painful state of the body and get rid of sciatica as soon as possible, you need to figure out what kind of disease it is, for what reasons it occurs and how to cure it correctly.

Pinching of the sciatic nerve occurs as a result of compression of the nerve endings, localized in the region of the lumbosacral spine. Many people who are faced with this disaster are aware of the severe, debilitating pain that starts from the lower back, going down, along the buttock, into the leg. This localization of pain is explained by the fact that the sciatic nerve is the largest in the human body. Going down the leg, starting from the lumbar region, it branches into many nerve endings. Hence the manifestations of the pain syndrome, which can be slightly pronounced, or can be so strong that it does not allow a person to sleep or work, taking away a lot of nervous energy.

Sciatica develops for the following reasons:

  • hernia of the spine, localized in the lumbar region;
  • osteochondrosis from an advanced stage, which caused deformation of the intervertebral discs, their protrusion (protrusion) and displacement;
  • narrowing of the spinal canal due to displacement of the vertebrae;
  • excessive stress on the body, in particular, associated with physical work or heavy sports;
  • diseases of an infectious nature that have a strong negative effect on the human nervous system - brucellosis, tuberculosis, herpes zoster;
  • malignant formations in the body, more precisely the process of their decay, intoxication with medicines, toxins;
  • pathological changes in the hematopoietic system of the body;
  • alcoholism;
  • diabetes;
  • spinal injury.

It should be noted that children are not susceptible to the development of sciatica. Pinching occurs most often in old age, due to pathological changes in the body that occur against the background of age-related changes. Although, more and more often, younger people suffering from vascular disorders in the lumbosacral region began to turn to doctors.

Symptoms

The main symptom indicating a pinched sciatic nerve is severe pain. The first pain sensations occur during sciatica, as a rule, at night, especially if the day before the person was subjected to severe stress or hypothermia. First, the pain is localized in the lumbar region, and only then begins to spread to the buttocks, thighs, legs and feet. The nature of the pain is burning, cutting, sharp. They arise suddenly, in the form of lumbago, then they can stop abruptly and reappear just as sharply.

A pinched nerve can be recognized by the following signs:

  • altered gait. To relieve pain when walking, a person begins to lean in the opposite direction to inflammation, while experiencing a slight relief during movement;
  • a feeling of numbness of the skin and loss of sensitivity on the side of the body in which the sciatica attack occurred. It is characteristic that the sensitivity either disappears completely, or appears when the disease recedes a little;
  • decreased muscle tone on the affected side;
  • sweating of the feet, palms, as well as swelling and redness of the skin, due to autonomic disorders against the background of severe pain (up to fainting).

Treatment

The best option for a pinched sciatic nerve would be to immediately consult a doctor who will tell you how to treat sciatica and how to relieve excruciating pain. The correct diagnosis can be made by a preliminary examination of the patient, as well as on the basis of the results of the examination, in particular:

  • x-ray examination of the bones and organs of the lower back and small pelvis;
  • ultrasound examination of the affected areas of the body;
  • computer or magnetic resonance imaging;

The conducted studies will help to find out whether there are serious changes in the skeletal system in the body. Also, if the doctor considers it necessary, it will be necessary to conduct several laboratory tests - blood and urine.

The treatment of pinching is based on the principle of an integrated approach. Therefore, in very rare cases, the patient manages to manage only by taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. For a long-term positive effect of treatment, it is necessary to combine drug therapy with auxiliary procedures. It is necessary to consider all rehabilitation measures separately:

  1. Medical treatment

To get rid of pain and inflammation, drugs from the group of anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs are used. These include Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Ketorolac and others. Which drug is more suitable for treatment, the doctor will say, based on the general history of the patient. It is necessary to use drugs of the NSAID group with extreme caution, since their excessive intake can provoke a decrease in blood clotting, exacerbation of kidney and gastrointestinal disease. In case of problems with the stomach and intestines, the doctor will choose Movalis, Nimesulide, Arcoxia for prescription. These drugs should be taken simultaneously with Omeprazole, which will protect the gastric mucosa from the side effects of medications. With a pronounced pain syndrome, it is possible to carry out a novocaine blockade, which gives a quick analgesic effect.

Simultaneously with taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, the patient is prescribed vitamins of group B, B12, vitamin E, as well as complex vitamin preparations, to improve vascular permeability, restore and regenerate nerve endings.

  1. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is prescribed only in combination with drug treatment, since separately they give some analgesic effect, but cannot remove the true cause of the pinched sciatic nerve. Phonophoresis, paraffin and ozocerite applications, magnetotherapy, UVR of the affected area, electrosleep, UHF therapy give a good effect. The most commonly used electrophoresis with drugs from the group of antispasmodics, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy should be carried out regularly, only then they give a lasting positive effect - relieving muscle spasm, improving blood supply to the affected area and eliminating pain.

  1. Massage

Massage sessions, held during the period of subsidence of the acute inflammatory process of sciatica, can relieve tissue swelling, excessive muscle tension, and relieve pain. It is used as a normal massage, indicated for pinching the sciatic nerve, as well as acupressure, cupping, or using applicators.

  1. Physiotherapy

You can start therapy with therapeutic exercises when the acute period of inflammation is left behind. Exercise therapy exercises should be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician, in order to avoid muscle strain. Effective exercises on a stationary bike, rotation of the pelvis, stretching exercises, walking on the buttocks on the floor. The most important thing is to perform the exercises smoothly and carefully, avoiding sudden movements.

As a preventive measure, in order to avoid repeated bouts of pinching, you need to sleep on a hard mattress, avoid physical exertion and heavy lifting, regularly perform sets of stretching exercises that help release pinched nerve roots. Also, a good effect can be obtained by using Kuznetsov's applicator daily, as well as bathing procedures with eucalyptus, oak or birch broom every 6-7 days.

Sciatica is an ailment that is provoked by pinching of the sciatic nerve, the presence of an inflammatory process in the lumbosacral spine.

The disease has other names: sciatic nerve neuralgia / sciatica. The pathological process leads to the development of acute pain syndrome and other negative consequences.

The disease is often observed in pregnant women, women in position must adhere to special preventive recommendations. If pain is detected, sciatica should be treated immediately.

What it is?

Sciatica is a non-inflammatory lesion of the sciatic nerve that occurs as a result of its compression in any area. Accordingly, the causes of sciatica can be any factors that lead to compression of tissue areas through which the sciatic nerve passes, such as, for example, injuries of the legs, pelvis, lumbar or sacral spine, compression of the nerve during prolonged immobility, infringement by fibrous bands , tumors, hematomas, etc. Most often, sciatica develops in people aged 40-60 years, which is due to pathological changes accumulated in the body, which can cause compression of the sciatic nerve.

To clearly understand and imagine what causes the clinical manifestations of sciatica, you need to know how and where the sciatic nerve passes. This nerve originates in the sacral nerve plexus, which is located in the sacrum, next to the vertebrae. The nerve plexus is formed by the roots of the spinal cord, which are not inside the spinal canal formed by the vertebrae standing on top of each other, but outside. That is, these roots are located on the sides of each vertebra and are very closely approximated to each other, as a result of which the area of ​​​​their localization was called the sacral nerve plexus.

From this sacral nerve plexus, a large sciatic nerve departs, which then exits the pelvic cavity to the back surface of the buttock, from where it descends along the back of the thigh to the very lower leg. In the upper part of the lower leg, the sciatic nerve divides into two large branches, the peroneal and tibial, which run along the right and left edges of the posterior surface of the lower leg (see Figure 1). The sciatic nerve is a paired organ, that is, it is present on the right and on the left. Accordingly, two sciatic nerves depart from the sacral nerve plexus - for the right and left legs.

Reasons for the development of the disease

The main prerequisites for this pathology are other already existing diseases that appear as complications:

  1. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar - is the result of its complications, leading to changes in the intervertebral discs. Here, deformation, flattening and other pathologies of the spine are distinguished.
  2. Formation of intervertebral hernias - there is compression and subsequent damage to the roots of the spinal cord due to rupture of the disc rings, protrusion of the disc nuclei through the gaps.
  3. Already diagnosed spondylolisthesis - the shift of the discs leads to compression or damage to the roots from the sciatic nerve system.
  4. Facet joint syndrome - there is a violation of the functions of the spine, which accelerates the degeneration of the discs.
  5. Spasm of the piriformis muscle - it is located under the gluteal muscle, through which the sciatic nerves pass. They endure stretching and irritation, as a result of which a person experiences severe pain.

In addition to these reasons, there are moments that provoke sciatica. Among them are:

  • heavy loads;
  • spinal deformities;
  • tumors on the spine;
  • arthritis;
  • hypothermia;
  • infectious and female diseases;
  • thrombosis.

Diabetes mellitus, an abscess on the buttock and some factors and diseases associated with the sciatic nerve system also contribute to this.

Classification

Depending on which part of the sciatic nerve was affected (pinched, squeezed), the disease is divided into the following three types:

  1. Upper sciatica - strangulated cord and nerve roots of the spinal cord at the level of the lumbar vertebrae;
  2. Middle sciatica (plexitis) - a pinched nerve at the level of the sacral nerve plexus;
  3. Lower sciatica (neuritis of the sciatic nerve) - infringement and damage to the sciatic nerve in the area from the buttock to the foot inclusive.

Neuritis of the sciatic nerve is also called inflammation of the nerve. And since it is the lower sciatica that is most common, then, in fact, the concepts of “inflammation of the sciatic nerve” and “sciatica” are perceived as synonyms, although this is not entirely correct.

Symptoms of sciatica

Sciatica is a chronic pathology. It usually starts insidiously and develops gradually. Many people mistake the first symptoms of sciatica for fatigue or overwork. After all, it manifests itself with small pains in the lumbar spine, radiating to the buttock, as well as discomfort in the leg. Usually these sensations occur after physical exertion and disappear after rest. Sometimes this situation continues for several years, until something provokes an attack. It can be sudden movement, heavy lifting or hypothermia.

The main symptom that characterizes sciatica is pain. It severely limits the patient's mobility and is accompanied by autonomic and neurological symptoms. Depending on which fibers of the sciatic nerve are affected, sensory or motor disturbances may develop. Usually all these signs are observed only on one side. They can vary in severity and duration. Most often, the disease proceeds paroxysmal, with periodic exacerbations.

Sometimes with sciatica, the pain is not so strong, but the patient is mainly disturbed by neurological symptoms. This is a violation of sensitivity, muscle atrophy, a change in tissue trophism. It all depends on which nerve roots are affected. In the most severe cases, there are also signs of disruption of the pelvic organs. This is expressed in urinary or fecal incontinence, intestinal upset, the appearance of gynecological diseases.

Features of pain

Pain in sciatica can be different. During an exacerbation, they are sharp, intense, shooting, burning. Each movement causes pain to the patient. They intensify when bending, sitting. Often the pain does not subside even in the supine position. In a chronic course, the sensations are not so strong. The pain can be aching, pulling, ongoing, or occurring only after exercise. Pain increases when tilting, raising the leg, after prolonged sitting or standing in a motionless position.

Most often, the pain is localized in the region of the lumbosacral spine or in the place where the nerve roots were affected. But a feature of the pathology is that the pain spreads along the course of the nerve. The area of ​​the buttock, the back of the thigh, the calf muscle is captured. Sometimes the pain extends to the very toes.

Motor and sensory disturbances

It is the sciatic nerve that provides tissue sensitivity and muscle movement on the back of the leg. Therefore, when it is infringed, various symptoms appear associated with damage to the motor or sensory roots. They have varying degrees of severity, there may be several symptoms or one.

The most common symptoms of sciatica are:

  • violation of skin sensitivity;
  • there are sensations of tingling, burning, numbness or crawling;
  • the patient takes a forced position of the body - leans forward and towards the sore leg, so pain is felt less;
  • the work of the muscles of the back of the thigh and lower leg is disrupted, which is manifested by problems in bending the knee and ankle joint;
  • because of this, the gait changes, lameness appears;
  • muscles decrease in size, can gradually atrophy;
  • the skin on the leg turns red or pale;
  • the skin becomes dry and thin, the nails often break;
  • there is increased sweating;
  • in the most severe cases, osteoporosis develops, the cause of which is paralysis or muscle atrophy.

Neurological symptoms

Such manifestations of sciatica always accompany pain, regardless of the nature or type of pathology. But they can be of varying degrees of severity. Neurological symptoms are manifested in the violation of nerve conduction and the disappearance of reflexes. These signs are often used to diagnose the disease. Indeed, most of the reflexes common to humans with sciatica are almost not manifested or are completely absent:

  • Achilles tendon reflex;
  • knee jerk;
  • plantar reflex.

In addition, there are several signs that help the doctor make a correct diagnosis. The main neurological symptom checked during the examination is the raising of a straight leg from a supine position. In this case, the patient has severe pain in the lower back, buttock and back of the thigh. And when bending the leg, it decreases.

Condition of the affected limb

Usually only one branch of the sciatic nerve is affected in sciatica. Therefore, all violations are observed on the one hand. At the same time, the diseased leg gradually differs more and more from the healthy one in appearance and function.

The limb becomes pale, cold to the touch, the skin is dry and flaky. Due to muscle atrophy, it decreases in size. The joints do not work well, sensitivity is also impaired. When moving, the affected leg is unstable, it becomes weak, as a result of which problems arise when walking.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of sciatica is based on identifying the characteristic symptoms of the disease. Moreover, a person actively complains to a doctor about pain, impaired mobility and sensitivity, and the doctor additionally reveals neurological symptoms during the examination.

After that, to identify the possible causes of sciatica and to determine the condition of the joints and bones of the limb, lower back and sacrum, the following instrumental examinations are performed:

  1. X-ray of the affected limb, sacrum and lower back. The results of x-rays allow us to find out whether sciatica is associated with pathology of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
  2. Magnetic resonance imaging. It is the most informative diagnostic method that allows in any case to identify the cause of sciatica, even when computed tomography is useless.
  3. Electroneuromyography. A research method that is used not to diagnose the causes of sciatica, but to determine the degree of nerve conduction disorders and muscle contractility of the affected limb. The study consists in recording the passage of nerve impulses and the strength of muscle contractions in response to them in different parts of the leg.
  4. Computed tomography of the affected limb, sacrum, lower back and pelvis. The results of computed tomography allows you to determine the exact cause of sciatica in almost all cases. The only situations when using computed tomography it is not possible to determine the cause of the disease is if the causes of sciatica are provoked by pathologies of the spinal cord and its membranes, the roots of the spinal cord and the vessels of the sacral nerve plexus.

Complications

Doctors can influence almost all causes of sciatica and, accordingly, stop squeezing the sciatic nerve. The exceptions are malignant tumors and serious deformities of the spine, which cannot always be eliminated with the help of surgery, but fortunately they are rare. Therefore, the main thing with sciatica is to get diagnosed in time and start treatment. Then the prognosis will be favorable.

If the pathology is started, part of the nerve trunk may die, which, of course, will affect the area innervated by these fibers: the skin will become insensitive, the muscles will stop moving and gradually atrophy, etc. The final outcome of such a development of events is the disability of the patient.

Treatment of sciatica

Rapid and effective treatment of sciatica cannot be successful without addressing the underlying cause of this pathology. On the other hand, if all efforts are directed only to eliminating the cause, it will be inhumane in relation to the patient, who at this time is suffering from severe pain. Therefore, the treatment of sciatica should be comprehensive, aimed at both the source of nerve damage and clinical symptoms.

At the first stage, the patient is prescribed a conservative (non-surgical) treatment aimed at reducing the inflammatory process and mitigating painful attacks. For this purpose, both anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are used, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, UHF, magnetotherapy, etc.)

In addition, the following conservative methods are widely used:

  • acupuncture,
  • manual therapy,
  • electrical muscle stimulation,
  • wearing restraint belts.

However, symptomatic treatment of sciatica only alleviates the patient's condition, but does not cure him. To get rid of the disease completely, etiotropic therapy should be used in parallel, i.e. treatment directed at the source of the disease. If sciatica was the result of a pathology of the pelvic organs, the underlying disease should be treated. If the sciatic nerve has suffered as a result of an attack of infectious pathogens, appropriate antibacterial or antiviral therapy is necessary.

Unfortunately, conservative methods of treatment are not always effective. If sciatica occurs against the background of compression of the nerve roots by a herniated disc or tumor, surgical treatment of sciatica is inevitable.

Medical treatment

In the acute period of sciatica, a course of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs is prescribed to stop a strong pain syndrome. For this purpose, drugs from the NSAID group (Diclofenac, Ortofen, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, Ketoprofen), as well as strong non-narcotic analgesics (Sedalgin, Sedalgin Neo, Baralgin, Pentalgin) are used.

In severe cases, when the patient suffers from severe pain that cannot be treated with the above remedies, the doctor may prescribe opioid analgesics (Tramadol, Tramal, Tramalin). They should be taken under the supervision of a doctor in short courses, since these drugs can quickly become addictive and drug dependence, they have many contraindications and side effects. In addition, novocaine or ultracaine blockades are prescribed to relieve exhausting pains.

Corticosteroid hormones (Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone), prescribed in the acute period, help to quickly suppress the development of the inflammatory process, relieve swelling and improve limb mobility. However, it is not possible to use hormonal agents in all cases; they are prescribed only for severe edema in the lumbosacral region of the spine.

Muscle relaxants, antioxidants, vitamin complexes and other drugs are used as maintenance therapy to help restore blood supply and nutrition to the affected nerves and normalize their functions.

Muscle relaxants (Sirdalud, Tizanidin, Mydocalm, Tolperison) relax tense muscles well, which eliminates pinching of nerve fibers, helps to reduce pain, restore sensitivity and range of motion of the affected limb.

Complex preparations containing vitamins of group B (Kombilipen, Milgamma, Binavit) reduce the severity of neuralgic symptoms and restore the permeability of the nerve impulse through the fibers, which returns the limbs to their former sensitivity, relieves numbness and other unpleasant symptoms.

To restore impaired blood supply and tissue nutrition, angioprotectors and correctors of blood microcirculation (Actovegin, Curantil, Trental) are used. Such a drug fights atrophic muscle changes and restores damaged structures of the sciatic nerve. For the same purpose, vitamin complexes containing vitamins C, E, trace elements - copper, selenium and other useful substances are prescribed as antioxidants.

Metabolic drugs such as Mildronate, Inosine, Riboflavin, Elkar help to improve the nutrition of the nerve roots of the spinal cord and sacral plexus, thereby restoring the function of the strangulated sciatic nerve and returning sensitivity and motor activity of the limbs.

Physiotherapy

The method of physiotherapy demonstrated high efficiency in sciatica. It consists in influencing the affected nerve or muscle tissue with the help of various physical factors - electric current of various frequencies, ultrasound, magnetic field, laser and ultraviolet radiation. Physiotherapy improves blood circulation in the affected area, relieves swelling and pain.

With the help of one of the varieties of physiotherapy - electrophoresis, various drugs can be introduced into the body - antispasmodics, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy can be carried out both during the period of exacerbation and during the period of remission of the disease. The necessary procedure is prescribed by a doctor.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy exercises are necessary for sciatica to relieve muscle spasm in the affected area, stimulate metabolic processes to eliminate edema. Doing exercises is recommended lying on a hard and flat surface. The following exercises are considered the most effective:

  1. Lie on your back, alternately bend your knees, first the left, then the right and pull it to your chest, hold your hips with your hands from behind. Stay in this position for half a minute, then slowly straighten up and completely relax. Do 10 sets.
  2. Lying on your side, pull your legs bent at the knees to your chest. Then straighten up and pull your socks. Do this 10 times.
  3. Lying on your stomach, place your hands shoulder-width apart. Raise the torso, while the pelvis and legs should remain in place. Do this 10 times.

To achieve a greater effect, exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles should be used. Lie on your back on the floor, bend your knees, and place your feet on the floor. Place your hands on your chest in a crossed position and begin to raise your torso until your shoulders come off the floor. This exercise should be done up to 15 times. The presented exercises are instructions on how to treat sciatica at home.

Massage

It is not bad to combine massage with gymnastics - it also helps to get rid of the disease at home.

It must be done daily or every other day. During the massage, intensive movements are required, starting from the toes to the hips and buttocks. The duration of a massage session is at least half an hour, a course of 10 procedures. It will not harm, but on the contrary, it will help, the use of other types of massage: cupping, acupressure, rubbing and heating effects.

Kuznetsov's applicator will also help, which improves lymph circulation and reduces the risk of muscle atrophy. Massage can be done even during an acute course, just do not perform sharp and strong movements. Only rubbing and stroking is allowed to stimulate blood flow and relieve muscle tension.

Folk remedies

Treatment of sciatica at home is allowed if home therapy is carried out in the form of prevention. The patient is discharged from the hospital at that time if the main foci of the affected tissue are restored and the pain is practically not bothered. The drug impact can already be significantly reduced. When diagnosed with sciatica, acute inflammation of the sciatic nerve, most individuals actively use healing recipes of traditional medicine. This is allowed, but on condition that the patient tells the attending physician about this in detail and he gives his recommendations on how to cure the disease to the end.

We list the most famous folk remedies for home treatment:

Compresses

  1. Boil a mixture of nettle leaves, black currant, burdock root in half a liter of sunflower oil, add one hundred grams of salt and use for compresses.
  2. Apply cabbage leaf scalded with boiling water as a compress.
  3. Mix turpentine with water 1: 2 and apply gauze soaked in the mixture to the body for a quarter of an hour.

Applications

  1. Warm natural beeswax in a microwave or water bath until it becomes soft. Quickly form a plate out of it, put it on the painful area, cover, insulate for the night.
  2. Form a cake from the dough, kneaded with flour and liquid honey. Use like wax.
  3. Grate potatoes, about 500 g, drain the water, pour a tablespoon of kerosene into the cake. Lay between two gauze and place on the back, first lubricating the skin with oil.

Rubbing

  1. Prepare an infusion of vodka (300 g) and white acacia (100 g of dry flowers) for a week. Then rub into pain points. Instead of acacia, you can use white Persian lilac.
  2. Mix black radish juice with honey 3:1 and rub sore spots.
  3. Fresh (not dried) bay leaf (20 leaves) insist in a glass of vodka for three days.

Baths

  1. Decoction of herbs: calendula, chamomile, fir oil. The water should not be hot, the duration of the bath should be a third of an hour.
  2. Grind raw horseradish root and place in a gauze bag. Dip in a bath filled with water (one bath - 100 g of horseradish). Stay in the water no longer than 5 minutes.
  3. A kilogram of young pine shoots is lowered into three liters of boiling water, heated for ten minutes, insisted for four hours and poured into a bath. Immerse yourself in it for a quarter of an hour.

Ingestion

  1. Horse chestnut seeds - a tablespoon, pour half a liter of boiling water, heat for a quarter of an hour (water bath). Take 100 ml cold before each meal.
  2. Calendula flowers - a tablespoon in a glass of simmering water. Pour and cover (do not cook). Half a glass of cooled strained infusion is drunk before each meal (no more than four times a day).
  3. Dried and crushed burdock root is stirred in a glass of Cahors wine and warmed up over a minimum heat for five minutes. This dose is drunk in two doses, before breakfast and before dinner.

What is the operation for sciatica?

Conservative treatment is a long, but quite effective process. However, in some cases it does not work. In addition, sometimes it happens that initially the only way to treat is surgery.

List of absolute indications for surgery when another method is not effective

  1. A malignant resectable tumor in the lumbar spine - in the early stages of the disease (for example, chondrosarcoma).
  2. Benign tumor: osteoblastoclastoma, chondroma and others.
  3. Serious disruption of the pelvic organs - for example, urinary and / or fecal incontinence.
  4. Prolonged and severe pain that does not improve within 6 weeks with medication.

In all other cases, the decision on the operation is made by the surgeon individually in each case. At the same time, it takes into account the course of the patient's underlying and concomitant diseases.

However, there are absolute contraindications to the operation:

  1. Pregnancy at any time.
  2. Infectious, as well as inflammatory diseases at the time of exacerbation and for two weeks after recovery.
  3. Diabetes mellitus with a high level of glucose in the blood, but if it decreases to normal numbers, then the operation is performed.
  4. Severe degree of respiratory and heart failure.

Prevention

To prevent sciatica from manifesting itself in the body, it is enough to follow simple preventive recommendations:

  1. Give daily a moderate load on the body. It is enough just to walk so that the pain does not appear. Remember that at the time of the load, muscle tone improves and the work of the nervous system is activated. You can play sports under the supervision of a coach. Give preference to yoga, swimming and Pilates;
  2. If you have a permanent sedentary job, take short breaks with a warm-up on your back. When sitting for a long time, you need to wear a corset. Also purchase a quality chair with orthopedic properties;
  3. Sleep on a quality mattress. It should not sag from body weight or be too rigid. It is important that the surface at the time of sleep is perfectly flat, without bumps and deflections. It is recommended to purchase an orthopedic pillow and mattress;
  4. Try not to lift weights after being sick. If you need to lift a heavy object, then be sure to squat and lean slightly in the process. At this point, the back should be straight. Distribute any weight evenly on two hands;
  5. Follow the rules of nutrition, avoid overeating. Incorporate fruits, vegetables, and grains into your diet. Try to avoid fast food, spicy and fried foods. Drink plenty of water a day;
  6. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Thanks

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!


Sciatica is a syndrome characterized by severe pain in the areas where the sciatic nerve passes. The syndrome is caused by compression of the roots of the spinal cord in the lumbar region or sections of the nerve itself. Since there can be many causes of compression of the roots of the spinal cord and nerve, the manifestations of the syndrome, in addition to pain along the sciatic nerve, can also be very diverse and polymorphic.

Currently, the term "sciatica" is used only to refer to the syndrome, and the disease manifested by its development is called lumbosacral sciatica. Also, the terms radiculopathy, radiculoischemia and radiculomyeloishemia can be used to refer to variants of sciatica caused by reasons of a different nature.

Sciatic sciatica (sciatic nerve sciatica)

Since the term "sciatica" itself is translated from Greek as "inflammation of the sciatic nerve", the names "sciatic sciatica" and "sciatic nerve sciatica" are an example of excessive clarification - that is, what is called "oil oil" in everyday speech. Therefore, such "common", "deployed" terms are incorrect. After all, when they talk about sciatica, they always mean that the problem is in the sciatic nerve, since the very name of the pathology already contains an indication of this particular nerve.

What nerve is affected in sciatica?

With sciatica, a non-inflammatory lesion (compression) of the sciatic nerve occurs, which is the largest and longest in the human body, since it starts from the sacral nerve plexus and passes through the soft tissues to the very feet.

Essence and brief description of the disease

Sciatica is a non-inflammatory lesion of the sciatic nerve that occurs as a result of its compression in any area. Accordingly, the causes of sciatica can be any factors that lead to compression of tissue areas through which the sciatic nerve passes, such as, for example, injuries of the legs, pelvis, lumbar or sacral spine, compression of the nerve during prolonged immobility, infringement by fibrous bands , tumors, hematomas, etc. Most often, sciatica develops in people aged 40-60 years, which is due to pathological changes accumulated in the body, which can cause compression of the sciatic nerve.

To clearly understand and imagine what causes the clinical manifestations of sciatica, you need to know how and where the sciatic nerve passes. This nerve originates in the sacral nerve plexus, which is located in the sacrum, next to the vertebrae. The nerve plexus is formed by the roots of the spinal cord, which are not inside the spinal canal formed by the vertebrae standing on top of each other, but outside. That is, these roots are located on the sides of each vertebra and are very closely approximated to each other, as a result of which the area of ​​​​their localization was called the sacral nerve plexus.

From this sacral nerve plexus, a large sciatic nerve departs, which then exits the pelvic cavity to the back surface of the buttock, from where it descends along the back of the thigh to the very lower leg. In the upper part of the lower leg, the sciatic nerve divides into two large branches, the peroneal and tibial, which run along the right and left edges of the posterior surface of the lower leg (see Figure 1). The sciatic nerve is a paired organ, that is, it is present on the right and on the left. Accordingly, two sciatic nerves depart from the sacral nerve plexus - for the right and left legs.


Picture 1– Schematic representation of the sciatic nerve on the right.

With sciatica, as a rule, only one of the two nerves is affected, as a result of which the symptoms concern only the right or left limb.

The main symptom of sciatica is a strong and sharp pain that occurs in any part of the leg or buttock along the nerve. In addition, along the course of the affected nerve, paresthesias (numbness and a feeling of "goosebumps") and weakness appear on the back surface of the corresponding limb and foot. Paresthesia, numbness and weakness can persist for years, gradually progressing.

On examination with sciatica, pain in the posterior surface of the lower leg from the side of the affected nerve is detected, as well as neurological symptoms, such as reduced reflexes of the knee, Achilles tendon, Lasegue symptoms, etc. In about a third of cases, a person has an increased sensitivity of the outer edge of the foot, in half of the cases - weakness leg and foot muscles. When you try to turn the leg bent at the hip and knee, a sharp pain in the buttock is fixed.

For diagnostics sciatica, an X-ray examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine are performed in order to find out at what level the roots of the spinal cord are pinched, and also what caused their compression (tumor, hematoma, herniated disc, etc.).

For treatment sciatica, various drugs from the groups of antioxidants, metabolites, minerals and vitamins, agents that improve blood circulation and microcirculation, muscle relaxants and NSAIDs are used. In addition, as part of complex therapy, in addition to drug treatment, massage, physiotherapy, post-isometric relaxation, novocaine or hydrocortisone blockades are used. All means and methods of treatment of sciatica are aimed at eliminating compression of the roots of the spinal cord, as well as at stopping painful manifestations of the syndrome for a person, such as pain, numbness and weakness of the limbs.

Causes of the disease

The causes of sciatica can be any condition or disease that compresses the roots of the spinal cord at the level of the lumbar spine or individual sections of the sciatic nerve. Such possible causative factors of sciatica include the following diseases and conditions:

1. Herniated disc in the lumbar spine (hernial protrusion compresses the roots of the spinal cord, in which the sciatic nerve originates, and thereby causes sciatica).

2. Infectious diseases (the sciatic nerve is affected by toxins released by pathogens):

  • Sepsis (blood poisoning);
  • Typhus typhoid or typhus;
3. Intoxication with various toxic substances, such as:
  • Alcohol (sciatica can occur against the background of chronic alcoholism or after a single consumption of a large amount of low-quality drinks);
  • Heavy metal poisoning (mercury, lead);
  • Arsenic poisoning.
4. Chronic systemic diseases in which non-excreted toxic metabolic products are deposited in the tissues:
5. Episodes of severe hypothermia of the body (as a rule, cooling contributes to the activation of a chronic infection, which, in fact, provokes sciatica).

Surgical treatment with sciatica, it is extremely rare - only in cases where the syndrome is provoked by tumors of the spine or herniated disc, which infringes the spinal cord or spinal cord roots. In this case, after pain relief, a planned operation is performed, after which the disease is completely cured, since its cause is eliminated. Also, surgical treatment of sciatica is performed in cases where, due to a malfunction of the sciatic nerve, a person suffers from severe disorders of urination and defecation (for example, urinary or fecal incontinence).

Remedies for sciatica

For complex symptomatic, etiological and maintenance therapy of sciatica, the following agents are currently used:

  • Medications(used to relieve pain, normalize microcirculation, sensitivity and mobility of the limb).
  • Massage and manual therapy (used to relieve pain, relax and normalize muscle tone, as well as to restore the correct position of the vertebrae, as a result of which it is possible to achieve long-term remissions or even completely cure sciatica).
  • Physiotherapy(used to improve microcirculation, conduct nerve impulses, restore sensitivity and strength of muscle contractions and, accordingly, limb mobility).
  • Acupuncture (acupuncture) is used to relieve pain, improve microcirculation and nourish both the tissues of the affected limb and the strangulated roots of the spinal cord. By improving nutrition, the condition of the roots of the spinal cord and leg tissues improves, and as a result, the functions of the sciatic nerve are restored up to normal.
  • Physiotherapy- is used during periods of remission to relax the muscles in the spine and improve blood supply to the spinal cord, its roots and sacral nerve plexus.
  • Apitherapy (treatment with bee stings) - used to relieve pain and relax muscles in order to eliminate the clamp of the sciatic nerve.
  • Hirudotherapy (leech treatment) - is used to relieve swelling in the area of ​​the pinched nerve, as a result of which the volume of tissues decreases, the nerve is released from the clamp and begins to function normally.
  • Sanatorium treatment (use of therapeutic mud, baths, etc.).

Medical treatment for sciatica

In the treatment of sciatica, the following groups of drugs are used:

Massage

It is used during periods of remission and improves blood flow to tissues and nerves, eliminates swelling and lymph stasis, relieves high muscle tone and relieves pain. With sciatica, massage of the lumbar and gluteal regions, as well as the back surfaces of the thigh, lower leg and foot, is used. To obtain a good and lasting effect, it is necessary to conduct approximately 10 massage sessions lasting 30-35 minutes. Massage is recommended to be combined with the application of ointments and therapeutic exercises.

Exercises (gymnastics)

It is recommended to perform therapeutic gymnastic exercises during remission in order to prevent sciatica attacks in the future.

So, gymnastics for sciatica includes the following exercises:

1. From a supine position, pull the legs bent at the knees to the chest. Do 10 repetitions.

2. From a supine position, raise straight legs up, fix them in this position for a few seconds, and then lower them to the floor. Do 5 repetitions.

3. From a position lying on your stomach, raise the body on your hands, placed with your palms under your shoulder. Do 5 repetitions.

4. From a sitting position on a chair, turn the body alternately to the right and left. Perform 5 turns in each direction.

5. From a sitting position on your knees, bend over with your arms raised above your head. Do 5 repetitions.

6. From a standing position with feet shoulder-width apart, tilt the body to the right and left. Perform 5 tilts in each direction.

All exercises should be performed slowly and carefully, avoiding sudden movements.

Sciatica: gymnastics (recommendations from a physiotherapy specialist) - video

Sciatica: therapeutic exercises - video

Treatment of sciatica at home

At home, for the treatment of sciatica, you can only take medications. In principle, this, as a rule, is enough to relieve pain and achieve remission, but the lack of complex treatment, which includes massage and physiotherapy, leads to episodes of sciatica recurring.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is a disease that occurs in people of middle or old age.

It is accompanied by unbearable pain in the lumbar region, which can pass into the lower limbs (up to the feet).

Of course, with such pain, it is almost impossible to exist normally.

But it is possible and necessary to fight them. The main thing is the right course of treatment.

The treatment course in this case will be complex.

If in your case the disease proceeds in an acute form, then definitely not possible without a course of medication.

Usually, with this disease, pain sensations appear in the leg (while the root cause of the pain is in the spinal column). Sciatica attacks occur due to inflammation of one (or more) spinal roots in the lumbosacral spine.

According to statistics, the highest percentage of patients suffering from sciatica occurs in middle-aged and elderly people who have multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, allergic diseases of various origins, disturbances in the functioning of blood vessels, malfunctions in metabolism or any other pathology of the spine. .

Unfortunately, sciatica is a disease that can come back to you again and again if you loosen your healing “grip” a little during the remission period. Therefore, if you decide to permanently get rid of constant pain, then be patient, follow all the recommendations of your doctor and do not despair if you do not see lightning-fast results.

Basic principles of sciatica treatment

As already mentioned, inflammation of the sciatic nerve requires a long and complex treatment. First, you will need to be examined by a neurologist. Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe a treatment complex for you, which will need to be followed responsibly.

Usually, therapeutic therapy in the case of sciatica contains several types of therapeutic measures.:

In the acute stage of the disease, the patient is prescribed bed rest, a minimum of movement, alternate compresses of ice and heating pads. When the period of exacerbation is overcome, it is recommended to undergo rehabilitation in a sanatorium, where mud baths, water extracts, and radon hydrogen sulfide baths will be organized. This will strengthen the immune system, improve the general condition of the body.

Video: "Syndrome of paralytic sciatica"

Before starting treatment with medications, you should undergo a complete examination and establish an accurate diagnosis. After consulting with your doctor, you will be prescribed a group of drugs of various types, which should relieve you of the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

What groups of medicines are used in the treatment of sciatica?

Complex drug treatment of sciatica includes several groups of drugs that are used depending on the goals of treatment (elimination of certain symptoms, improvement of the general condition of the body).

To treat inflammation of the sciatic nerve, drugs such as:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This group of drugs is designed to block the formation of enzymes that trigger inflammatory reactions in the body. They are not addictive, but have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa, so it is not recommended to use this type of drug for people suffering from peptic ulcer. It is also not recommended to get too carried away with these drugs, since they adversely affect the functioning of the kidneys;
  • Steroid drugs. In other words, hormones. This type of drug is prescribed when other drugs are no longer effective. They have a huge list of side effects, half of which are sometimes hushed up by both doctors and drug manufacturers. Designed to relieve inflammation, swelling;
  • Muscle relaxants. This group of drugs is aimed at relieving muscle tension, reducing excessive muscle tone, relieving edema, reducing inflammation;
  • Vitamins and minerals;
  • Antidepressants.

List of possible drugs and how to use them

And did you know that…

Next fact

Non-steroid drugs:

Steroid drugs:

Muscle relaxants:

  • Mydocalm. Available in the form of tablets for oral use and in the form of injections. The drug is able to relax the muscles and relieve severe swelling. He is also able to cope with severe pain. The drug is contraindicated in case of excessive sensitivity to lidocaine, during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in myasthenia gravis;

Ointments and gels for external use:

Group Titles Description
Anti-inflammatory ointments and gels:
  • Ketoprofen
  • Nurofen
  • Fenal
Created on the basis of non-steroidal drugs.
Painkillers and warming ointments and gels:
  • Viprosal
  • Kapsikam
  • Finalgon
  • Turpentine ointment
These drugs improve blood flow, thereby relieving muscle spasms and eliminating pain. They have a stimulating effect on the nervous system, so it is recommended to apply them in the daytime. After application, you need to wrap yourself in a thick woolen cloth so that the heat does not leave the skin.
Ointments and gels of complex action:
  • Dimexide gel
  • Dexpanthenol
They reduce the activity of impulses in neurons, which helps to reduce the level of inflammation, and should not be used by pregnant and lactating women.
Chondoprotective ointments and gels:
  • Chondroxide
  • Chondroitin
Contribute to the regeneration of connective tissue and the production of joint fluid.
Homeopathic ointments:
  • Sabelnik
  • Larkspur
  • Virapin
Medicinal preparations consisting of herbal ingredients that reduce swelling and inflammation. Allergic reactions and individual intolerance to the components are possible.

vitamins

The vitamin complex is selected by your doctor based on the data obtained during the diagnosis. Therefore, there is no specific list of drugs here. Of the possible ones, it can be registered Borivit, vitamin injections that contain B6 and B1. The drug has a number of serious contraindications, so you need to familiarize yourself with them before starting use.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants are prescribed by the attending physician strictly individually., in order to maintain the patient's body in a normal state, reduce nervous tension and help calm down. These medicines are available only by prescription.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that sciatica belongs to the group of diseases of the spine, it is much more difficult to cope with it than with many other diseases of the same type.

Therefore, when treating, remember the important points:

  • In order to accurately know your diagnosis, you need to undergo an examination in the clinic. Only after the tests and studies carried out, you can establish your clear diagnosis. Sciatica is an insidious disease whose symptoms can be similar to those of another disease. Therefore, before sounding the alarm or starting treatment, you need to accurately establish your diagnosis;
  • Sciatica requires a long and persistent treatment. In this case, therapy should be complex. You should not expect instant results or stop treatment at the slightest remission, the disease has a habit of returning and ruining the life of its owner with renewed vigor. Therefore, be patient and responsible;
  • When treating with medications, remember: all groups of drugs have their own indications and contraindications for use. Only your doctor can prescribe this or that drug, he is also obliged to control the treatment process, increase or decrease the dose, choose the type of medication (pills, ointments, injections, etc.). At the slightest deviation from the norm or the appearance of ailments, you should immediately contact him and adjust the treatment course. Self-medication treatment of sciatica is strictly prohibited!

As you know, the sciatic nerve starts from the lumbosacral plexus and, going down the leg, branches into two directions - the tibial and peroneal nerves. Its pinching is accompanied by acute pain that affects both limbs and limits the patient's movement.

Only complex treatment, which includes physiotherapy and a set of special exercises, can relieve the symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve and correct the situation with pinching. However, in the acute period, drug therapy is inevitable.

In this article, we will consider the basic principles of treatment for inflammation, pinching of the sciatic nerve in adults, and also talk about the first symptoms and causes of this disease. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments.

What it is?

A pinched sciatic nerve is an inflammation of one of the longest nerves in the body, which manifests itself in the region of the lumbosacral spine with severe pain. In medicine, this phenomenon is called sciatica.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is a syndrome or manifestation of symptoms of other ailments. In this regard, inflammation can be caused by problems in the work of other organs and systems of the body, however, in most cases, the occurrence of pathology is associated with problems in the spine.

Causes

What is it and why does it develop? The disease is more common in people over 30 years old, although recently younger people have also been affected by pathology, which is associated with the early formation of degenerative changes in the soft tissues around the spinal column.

The most common factor in the development of inflammation of the sciatic nerve is a pathological process localized in the lumbar and sacral segment of the spine.

Therefore, the most common cause of pinching is:

  1. Complete or partial displacement of the intervertebral disc, accompanied by pinching of the sciatic nerve, narrowing of the spinal canal, growths on the spine;
  2. Piriformis Syndrome;
  3. Damage to the organs or muscular apparatus of the small pelvis due to injuries or heavy physical exertion;
  4. Hypothermia, infectious processes;
  5. The presence of neoplasms.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve can have the character of a primary lesion, the causes of which are most often hypothermia, an infectious process, and trauma. Secondary pinching occurs when the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve are pinched as a result of protrusion, herniated disc, bone growths around the spine, muscle spasm due to physical overload, etc.

Symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

If the pinching of the sciatic nerve progresses, the symptoms of the pathology are expressed in an acute form, significantly disrupting the patient's usual quality of life. The main symptom of the disease is pain, the intensity of which depends on the cause of inflammation:

  • pinching of the sciatic nerve with a hernia;
  • influenza, malaria and other infections that lead to inflammation;
  • stenosis;
  • spondylolisthesis.

Be sure to consider the nature of the pain. This helps doctors make an accurate diagnosis and then start treating the inflammation. Therefore, pinching in the lower part of the spine is divided into three groups:

  • landing symptom - the patient cannot sit down;
  • symptom of Lasegue - the patient cannot raise a straight leg;
  • Sicard's symptom - pain increases with flexion of the foot.

In addition to pain, there are also characteristic symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve associated with a violation of the conduction of nerve impulses along the motor and sensory fibers:

  1. Loss of sensation (paresthesia)- in the initial stage, it is manifested by a feeling of numbness, tingling of the skin of the buttocks and legs along the back surface. As the symptoms progress, other types of sensitivity decrease, up to their complete disappearance.
  2. Dysfunction of the pelvic organs- occurs due to compression of the fibers of the autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) nervous system passing in the sciatic nerve. There are violations of urination (urinary incontinence) and defecation in the form of constipation. This symptomatology develops in severe cases of sciatica with significant infringement of the spinal roots.
  3. Failures in motor function- the result of infringement of the motor fibers of the nerve. A person has weakness of the gluteal, femoral and lower leg muscles. It is expressed in a change in gait during a unilateral process (limping on a sore leg).

If the above symptoms occur, treatment should begin immediately, because pinching the sciatic nerve can lead to a complete loss of sensation in the legs.

Diagnostics

To determine how to treat a pinched sciatic nerve, it is imperative to find out its etiology and, if possible, eliminate all factors that can provoke the development of the disease.

To clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient - it should include:

  • methods of clinical and biochemical laboratory diagnostics;
  • examination by a neuropathologist, and, if necessary, by a vertebrologist, rheumatologist and vascular surgeon;
  • performance of x-ray images of the spine in several projections (mandatory in the supine and standing position);
  • tomographic studies.

Urgent doctor's consultation required if:

  • against the background of pain, the body temperature rises to 38 ° C;
  • edema appeared on the back or the skin turned red;
  • pain gradually spreads to new parts of the body;
  • there is severe numbness in the pelvic region, hips, legs, which makes it difficult to walk;
  • there is a burning sensation when urinating, there are problems with the retention of urine and feces.

These studies help to figure out what to do in order to relieve pain in the shortest possible time, and eliminate inflammation in the sciatic nerve.

How to treat a pinched sciatic nerve

If symptoms of pinching of the sciatic nerve occur, treatment should be started as early as possible, according to the result of the diagnosis, the specialist will prescribe the appropriate therapy:

  1. First of all, determine what caused the sciatic nerve to be pinched. Treatment may vary depending on the cause. For example, neoplasms may require surgery.
  2. Medical treatment. The first stage of this treatment is aimed at pain relief and removal of the inflammatory process. For this, muscle relaxants and NSAIDs are used.
  3. B vitamins(kombilipen, milgamma) contribute to the normalization of metabolism in nerve cells. In the acute period, they are prescribed intramuscularly for a period of 10 days, then they switch to oral administration.
  4. Physiotherapy treatment. Such treatment includes electrophoresis, the use of electromagnetic fields or ultraviolet radiation, massage (impact on certain points, cupping, vacuum types of massage), therapy through paraffin procedures, hydrotherapy.
  5. Alternative treatment which currently includes many different methods. It includes acupuncture, the use of Kuznetsov's iplicators, stone therapy, hirudotherapy, herbal medicine, moxibustion.
  6. Treatment with folk recipes. So, when pinching, horse chestnut, bay leaf tincture, flour and honey cakes, potato compresses, beeswax, spruce and pine buds, dandelion tincture and many other methods are used.
  7. Diuretics used to reduce swelling in the area of ​​the nerve roots (furosemide).
  8. Physiotherapy. Helps to improve blood flow in the affected area and strengthen the muscles. Which exercises to perform in this or that case, the doctor decides, based on the degree of neglect of the disease, the severity of the pain syndrome, the presence of an inflammatory process and other factors.
  9. Surgery. With the ineffectiveness of medications and physiotherapeutic procedures, the only option to eliminate pinching is surgery: discectomy and microdiscectomy.

It is worth noting that the treatment of inflammation or pinching of the sciatic nerve at home is a complex, lengthy exercise that does not always give an immediate effect, so you have to deal with your health for a long time.

If the pain does not subside within a few months, then the patient is prescribed injections of steroid drugs administered epidurally into the affected area. This procedure reduces the symptoms of inflammation at the local level, giving an immediate temporary, but very noticeable effect.

Mode

One of the main components of treatment is the creation of a therapeutic and protective regimen for the patient.

The patient should lie on a hard bed, the possibility of movements is recommended to be limited until the bright signs of inflammation subside. Compliance with bed rest is shown until the condition improves and the pain syndrome is eliminated.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The most effective painkillers -. This pharmaceutical group of drugs is represented by drugs that stop the action of the COX enzyme and have an anti-inflammatory effect, these include:

  • Meloxicam (Movalis, Amelotex)- is available in tablet and injectable forms, is one of the safest drugs in the NSAID group.
  • "Piroxicam" - is available in the form of a solution (1-2 ml ampoules), tablets, suppositories, gel, cream, can be used both topically and by injection - 1-2 ml once a day to relieve an acute pain attack.
  • "Nimesulide" ("Nise", "Nimesil")- available in the form of powders, tablets, capsules. The usual dosage is 100 mg per day, in the first days an increase to 200 mg is possible.
  • "Celebrex" - capsules, the recommended daily dose is up to 200 mg, but with severe pain it can be increased to 400-600 mg at the first dose, followed by a dose reduction to 200 mg.
  • "Ketonal", "Ketanov" ("Ketoprofen")- is available both in ampoules and in capsules, tablets, suppositories and in the form of an ointment, with sciatica it is most often used intramuscularly (up to three times a day, 2 ml each), but topical application (ointments) also relieves symptoms.

With an increase in pain and inflammation, steroid hormones are sometimes prescribed, in short courses, they relieve pain, but do not eliminate the cause of inflammation, and their use has a lot of side effects and contraindications.

See also how to choose effective ones for the treatment of joints.

Muscle relaxants and vitamins

Muscle relaxants prescribed to reduce reflex local muscle tension associated with pain syndrome. This is:

  • Thezalud;
  • Baclofen;

It also has an anti-inflammatory effect multivitamin complexes based on B vitamins:

  • Neurobion;
  • Milgamma;
  • Combilipen;
  • Trigamma;
  • Neurovitan.

When physiotherapy and medications do not help, they resort to surgical methods - microdiscectomy, discectomy, in which the part of the disc that presses on the sciatic nerve is removed.

Alternative treatment

In specialized clinics and medical centers, various non-traditional methods are used to treat a pinched sciatic nerve:

  • phytotherapy;
  • acupuncture;
  • acupressure;
  • warming with wormwood cigars;
  • stone therapy or stone massage;
  • vacuum or can massage;
  • hirudotherapy-treatment with leeches and others.

Spa treatment

Only without exacerbation, a spa treatment of inflammation of the sciatic nerve is recommended, mud therapy, hydrotherapy using radon, hydrogen sulfide, pearl baths, and underwater traction courses are especially effective.

Climate therapy always helps to strengthen the immune system, reduces the frequency of colds, rest improves mood and creates a positive attitude, which is so important for recovery.

Massage

Massage procedures are allowed to be carried out after the acute inflammatory process subsides.

Thanks to this technique, the conductivity of the damaged sciatic nerve increases, local blood circulation and lymph flow normalize, pain sensations decrease, and already developed muscle hypotrophy decreases.

Exercises

After recovery, useful physical exercises are especially necessary, but only those in which the load is evenly distributed on both sides of the body (light jogging, walking, swimming, leisurely skiing).

In addition, there are special exercises that are ideal for all patients in remission. Here is an example of exercises that can be easily performed at home while lying on the floor.

All exercises are performed 10 times, with a subsequent increase in load:

  1. Bring your legs to the body, hug them under the knees. With your hands, press your legs to yourself as much as possible, maintain this position for 30 seconds, then return to the starting position.
  2. Legs are straight, socks point up, arms along the body. Stretch your heels and the back of your head in different directions for 15 seconds, then relax.
  3. Turn to the side, pull your legs towards you. Pull your socks. Then return to the starting position and turn to the other side.
  4. Roll over on your stomach, raise your torso on your hands, do push-ups. Do not strain your legs while doing this.

However, you need to know that if the pinching of the sciatic nerve is provoked by a herniated disc, it is necessary to select a complex of physiotherapy exercises together with your doctor.

Treatment with folk remedies

Of particular importance is traditional medicine to cure pinched sciatic nerve. After all, her funds become practically the only way to treat, for example, if a nerve is pinched in a pregnant woman or there are any contraindications to the medications taken, physiotherapy.

At home, you can carry out the following treatment:

  1. Bay leaf tincture. It is necessary to take 18 medium-sized bay leaves, pour them with 200 ml of good vodka, leave for 3 days in a dark, cool place. After this period, the resulting infusion must be rubbed into the sacrum with massaging movements. After the fourth procedure, a positive effect is observed.
  2. At night, you can attach a honey cake to a sore spot.. To do this, heat a tablespoon of honey in a water bath, mix it with a glass of flour, form a cake and put it on a sore spot. Close with cellophane and wrap everything with a warm scarf. This compress will relieve pain.
  3. An infusion of potato sprouts is prepared from sprouted potatoes, or rather, its shoots.. To do this, take a glass of sprouts and fill the floor with liters of vodka. In this form, the mixture is infused for two weeks in the dark. After it is ready, you need to rub it into the affected area twice a day and wrap it with warm cloth for a while.
  4. Dissolve 10 tablets of analgin in 200 ml of an alcohol solution (at least 70%) and add a vial of 5% iodine. The resulting mixture should be removed in a dark place for 3 days. Rub the finished tincture into the problem area before going to bed, then wrap the lower back with a scarf and sleep until the morning.

Remember that home treatments cannot replace complex drug therapy, they are intended only to reduce the manifestations of the disease.

Prevention

When a pinched sciatic nerve is diagnosed, medications relieve pain and general discomfort; but it is also recommended to study preventive measures to prevent relapse:

  • you need to sleep only on a hard surface,
  • avoid lifting heavy
  • hypothermia of the extremities,
  • do not make sudden movements.

Which doctor to contact

If symptoms of sciatica appear, you should consult a neurologist. Physiotherapist, massage therapist, chiropractor participate in the treatment. if necessary, the patient is examined by a neurosurgeon.