Inflammation or pinching of the sciatic nerve in medical practice is called sciatica. People over 40 experience this disease, but it can also appear at an earlier age. Severe pain syndrome, which characterizes its development, causes discomfort and limits movement. Therapy of pathology in each case is selected individually. For some patients, massage is enough, others require surgical assistance, 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 area, it bifurcates: one part of it is responsible for the innervation of the lower leg, and the other for the feet. Also, this structure provides sensitivity to the muscles of the lower extremities. It regulates the connection of the tissues of these areas with the central nervous system.
What can contribute to the fact that a person has a cold of the sciatic nerve? Problem symptomsappear after a long stay in a draft, in cold water or due to hypothermia of the whole organism. The inflammatory process can also be due to the infringement of this structure. A similar situation occurs with degenerative lesions of the spine.
Among the main causes of inflammation are the following:
- hypercooling of the body;
- infectious diseases (tuberculosis, shingles, influenza, etc.);
- spinal injury;
- osteophytes;
- diabetes;
- gout;
- heavy metal intoxication;
- spinal stenosis.
An inactive lifestyle, mostly sedentary work, weight lifting can contribute to the development of inflammation.
Clinical picture
If a person has a cold of the sciatic nerve, the symptoms of the pathology appear gradually. First manifested in the form of discomfort in the lower back, tension in the legs. As the disease progresses, they are supplemented by shooting, sharp pain while walking and bending over. This is the most common sign of a pinched sciatic nerve. Pain radiates to the leg in some patients, even at night with another attempt to roll over. During physical activity, discomfort increases. A person gets tired pretty quickly, complains of general malaise. His appetite worsens, there are restrictions in movements. It is possible to reduce the sensitivity of tissues at the site of the lesion, which is accompanied by a feeling of "goosebumps", numbness.
Typically inflammationappears on one side. Bilateral involvement is rare, with each movement performed with great effort. There is a spasm of the gluteal muscles.
Neglecting treatment and ignoring symptoms can lead to serious consequences:
- muscle atrophy;
- lack of reflexes in the lower extremities;
- problems with urination and defecation.
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:
- Sicard's symptom. When the foot is bent, pain occurs.
- Lasegue's symptom. In the prone position, the extension of the lower limb is accompanied by discomfort in the muscles of the thigh.
- Symptom of landing. Pain in the lower back, aggravated by sitting when knee is extended.
To clarify the cause of inflammation, the patient is prescribed 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
About the causes and symptoms of sciatica, many only guess until the inflammation occurs. A pinched nerve happens suddenly, and it is almost impossible to predict it.impossible. In a similar situation, a person needs emergency help:
- He needs to be laid on his stomach. It is better to choose a hard and even surface (for example, the floor). A sagging bed can only exacerbate the situation. A cushion or small pillow should be placed under the chest.
- The lower back must be freed from clothing. Apply any anti-inflammatory ointment to the inflamed area. In every home first aid kit there is Diclofenac, Nimesulide or Ibuprofen.
- After stopping the pain syndrome, a person should be turned over on his back, and a pillow should be placed under the lower back.
Heating pads, warm compresses or rubbing should not be used for sciatica. At the initial stage, this can aggravate the course of inflammation, worsen the patient's condition.
Treatment options
If the sciatic nerve is cold, the symptoms of the pathology cannot be ignored. Over time, they significantly worsen the quality of life. After passing the examination and confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes therapy. You should be prepared for the fact that the treatment will be long. Usually it includes medication and physiotherapy, massage.
Medication use
Treatment starts with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to control inflammation and relieve pain. With sciatica, as a rule, "Ketonal", "Nise" and "Ibuprofen" are prescribed. First, the drugs are used in the form of intramuscular injections. After they switch to tablets and supplement them with external agents. Ointments based on capsicum have a good effect.("Kapsicam").
To remove muscle spasm, use muscle relaxants ("Sirdalud", "Mydocalm"). In a hospital setting, patients are given novocaine blockades to block nerve impulses that provoke pain attacks. B vitamins are also useful. For back pain, they work as analgesics. Belonging to the category of neurotropes, they have a positive effect on the functions of nerve cells.
The most popular drug in the treatment of inflammation of the sciatic nerve is "Diclofenac". The drug is available in the form of injections, tablets or ointments. Its action is directed:
- to relieve inflammation and pain;
- relieve muscle spasm;
- decrease in puffiness;
- restoration of the motor apparatus.
The fastest way to relieve the patient from the symptoms of sciatica is to help injections. Their help is resorted to at the beginning of therapy. Then they switch to tablets or ointment.
This remedy 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 for the 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 a pack of pills, and a tube of ointment costs about 200 rubles.
Physiotherapy and massage
In addition to the course of medication, physiotherapy is prescribed. Their action is aimed at restoring metabolism inthe affected area, improving blood circulation and stimulating muscle fixation. The following procedures are considered the most effective:
- stretch;
- 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.
Massage for sciatica improves lymphatic drainage and blood circulation. Contraindications to its appointment are purulent tissue damage, skin diseases, spinal injuries. There are several types of massage in the inflammatory process:
- Relaxing. Assign during the period of exacerbation.
- Healing. They do it for the purpose of prevention.
- Vacuum. It is performed using special cans.
- Point. The impact is carried out on acupuncture points. Performed with fingertips.
Massage should only be performed by a qualified professional.
Surgery
When traditional treatments fail, pain in the leg when 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 due to a herniated spine, a microdiscectomy is indicated. This is a minimally invasive intervention that is performed using a special microscope. The task of the surgeon is to remove the hernia and not damage he althy bonestructures.
If the pathology is associated with trauma or narrowing of the spinal canal, laminectomy is recommended. With its help, it is possible to stop the compression of the roots and the sciatic nerve. During the operation, the doctor makes an incision, pushes back the muscles and fatty tissue. Then excised part of the vertebral arch. For decompression, it is necessary to additionally remove the formation that compresses the spine.
General treatment recommendations
During the course of therapy and after its completion, the patient is recommended to:
- observe bed rest during exacerbation of pathology;
- it is forbidden to lift weights, play sports;
- swimming is allowed if the water temperature is over 20 degrees;
- should not be in one position for a long time;
- better to give up alcohol.
If a person has already caught a cold of the sciatic nerve, it is important to pay attention to the symptoms and immediately begin treatment. Prevention of relapses comes down to strengthening the back muscles, controlling posture, and an active lifestyle.
