Inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica) is a disease that occurs due to problems with the spine and pinched nerve roots.

Let's look at the causes and symptoms of this disease, as well as treatment methods.

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Causes sciatic nerve inflammation

The causes of sciatic nerve inflammation are associated with the appearance of a herniated disc. But even seemingly simple hypothermia can lead to an inflammatory process. There are many causes of sciatic nerve inflammation, let's look at the main ones:

• Trauma to the nerve endings of the vertebrae.
• Birth injuries and other lesions of the spine and sacrum.
• Gynecological diseases and pinched nerve roots.
• Arthritis, tumors, diabetes.
• Diseases of the spine.
• Toxic and viral lesions of the sciatic nerve.

Only diagnostic methods can accurately determine the cause of the disease. Since there are many diseases that have similar symptoms.

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Symptoms sciatic nerve inflammation

Sciatica is a disease that affects the largest nerve in the human body. The disease is called sciatica and manifests itself in the form of painful sensations in the lower back, cross or buttock area, affecting the entire back of the thigh, foot and shin. Painful symptoms can affect one leg or both. In some patients, the disease has no clearly expressed symptoms, but in others it takes away the ability to sleep, stand and even sit normally.

Symptoms of sciatic nerve inflammation are often confused with other diseases. The first symptoms of the disease are painful sensations. The pain can be one-sided or two-sided. In some cases, instead of pain, a burning sensation, tingling and numbness in the sciatic nerve area appear in the sacrum and lower back. Common symptoms of sciatic nerve inflammation, which occur in almost all patients, are pain in the lower extremities and impairment of motor activity.

Symptoms may have different localization and severity. Pain may be aching, pulling, shooting. Another characteristic of sciatica is temporary attacks of pain, which alternate with temporary weakening of pain symptoms. The pain is of a descending nature, localized in the lumbar region and goes down lower, right down to the fingertips. Sometimes the pain is so sharp that it practically paralyzes the patient. Any movement during an inflammatory attack causes piercing pain and even cramps.

Pain from sciatic nerve inflammation

Pain from inflammation of the sciatic nerve most often appears on one side. The pain can be dull, constant or aching. Sometimes the pain becomes sharp and burning. But most often the pain is paroxysmal, sometimes shooting through the buttocks, back and legs. The pain worsens with movement, laughing, coughing and sneezing. Pain from inflammation of the sciatic nerve causes muscle weakness and numbness of the limbs.

It is almost impossible to lead a normal life with a diagnosis of sciatica. That is why, at the first symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to seek medical help, and not wait until the disease takes on a pathological character. Remember that timely diagnosis and treatment will relieve inflammatory pain and muscle spasms.

Temperature in sciatic nerve inflammation

Temperature with inflammation of the sciatic nerve is another common symptom of the disease. Temperature appears against the background of muscle pain, spasms and general weakness. Pain with inflammation of the sciatic nerve is often localized on one side, therefore, with temperature, it causes tingling and even redness of the affected area of the body.

Many patients, when a fever and ambiguous symptoms of sciatica appear, begin to self-medicate and try to bring down the temperature. But this does not eliminate the cause of this symptom. Therefore, when a fever and symptoms of sciatica appear, it is necessary to seek medical help. The doctor will prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs that will effectively reduce the temperature and help in the treatment of inflammation.

Forms

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy occurs because the uterus gradually increases in size and begins to press on the internal organs. The uterus can also press on the sciatic nerve, which runs in the lumbar region. If this happens, the pregnant woman feels pain in the back and legs.

During the third trimester of pregnancy, the baby actively turns over and this can lead to pinching of the sciatic nerve and cause severe pain. The nature of the pain depends on the baby's movements. That is, the pain can be constant and worsen, or make itself known temporarily. In many women, the symptoms of sciatica persist for 2-3 months after childbirth.

The most unpleasant thing is that with inflammation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy, it is necessary to select the safest, but at the same time effective treatment. Thus, traditional medical therapy with the use of painkillers should be abandoned. Treatment is carried out with the help of safe therapeutic gymnastics and exercises. This allows you to restore muscle tone and relieve the symptoms of sciatica.

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Diagnostics sciatic nerve inflammation

Sciatica is very difficult to diagnose. Since the inflammatory process can manifest itself in 2-3 attacks during the year. Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is called lumbosacral radiculitis and affects the lumbosacral region.

Diagnosis of sciatic nerve inflammation begins with studying the symptoms of the disease. Very often, the symptoms of sciatica are confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms. Diagnosis begins with a clinical and neurological examination and the use of hardware and instrumental research methods.

A clinical neurological examination is a determination of the sensitivity level of the disease. To do this, the patient is asked to perform a couple of simple exercises. So, if you lift your leg from a horizontal position, you will feel pain in the lumbosacral spine. If you lower your leg, the pain subsides (this diagnostic is called the Lasegue test). In addition to exercises, the doctor has a number of similar diagnostic tests that allow you to accurately determine the disease. It is necessary not only to diagnose the disease, but also to determine the causes of sciatic nerve inflammation. Since effective treatment is possible only if the cause of the sciatic nerve lesion is determined.

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Treatment sciatic nerve inflammation

Help with sciatic nerve inflammation

Help with sciatic nerve recovery is a set of methods that are used to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. It is very difficult to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and eliminate pain without certain knowledge and skills. But there are several options for help that can be used as a first-line treatment for sciatic nerve inflammation. Let's look at emergency help for sciatic nerve inflammation.

• The patient should be placed on his stomach on a hard, flat surface, with a bolster or small pillow placed under his chest. Cover him with a warm blanket on top, but so that it does not put pressure on his back or get tangled between his legs.
• It is strictly forbidden to apply heating pads, compresses or anything that can provoke swelling of the inflamed area to the lower back, legs or buttocks.
• It is necessary to immediately call an ambulance or consult a neurologist. The doctor will prescribe medications that will relieve painful symptoms and allow you to go to the hospital to diagnose the disease and determine the causes of its occurrence.

It is prohibited to take medications, do massages and other "treatment procedures" on your own. Since this can worsen the patient's condition, cause an allergic reaction, lead to a skin burn (when using alcohol warming compresses) or swelling of the affected area. How to relieve inflammation of the sciatic nerve?

How to relieve sciatic nerve inflammation is a very pressing issue that interests all people who have encountered this disease. We offer you basic recommendations that will help eliminate the inflammatory process.

• At the first symptoms of pain in the back, leg or buttock, it is necessary to limit physical activity and not make sudden movements, as this can lead to an exacerbation of the disease. But following these recommendations gives a chance that the inflammation will subside.
• If the pain does not go away after following the above instructions, you should seek medical help. Since it is possible that the inflammatory process is caused by pinched intervertebral discs, and only a doctor can cure the pinched discs, that is, put the discs back in place.
• It is strictly forbidden to massage and apply hot compresses and warming ointments without the doctor's permission. Such procedures will cause the inflamed nerve to swell and the pain to become acute.

The only correct solution for sciatic nerve inflammation is to ensure complete rest and seek medical help.

Treatment of sciatic nerve inflammation is prescribed by a neurologist and only after a complete diagnosis of the disease and a study of the symptoms. There are many treatment options and they often contradict each other. The main rule of treatment is complete rest, that is, refusal of physical activity. This will reduce irritation and inflammation of the nerve root. Another rule of treatment is a complete refusal of compresses and warming procedures, as this can lead to swelling and only worsen the disease.

Such treatment methods as vacuum therapy, manual therapy and reflex methods (acupuncture) show high efficiency. But conservative methods are not always effective, and in this case, resort to drug and surgical treatment. Let's consider the basic algorithm for treating sciatica.

• Compliance with the regime - limitation of physical activity and exercise.
• Conservative treatment and physiotherapy – manual therapy, massage, acupuncture.
• Physiotherapy – helps restore the function of damaged nerves and speeds up the recovery process.
• Drug treatment – taking anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, using ointments and gels that relieve pain.
• Surgical treatment methods – used when the above methods fail to produce results. Used for pathological disorders of the pelvic organs.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment of sciatic nerve inflammation involves taking medications that eliminate painful symptoms and promote the treatment of the inflammatory process. The most popular drug treatment is taking antidepressants. Such drugs help to relax (relevant for people suffering from insomnia). Strong antidepressants help to relieve the painful symptom. But such drugs are used as an additional therapy.

In drug treatment of sciatica, such drugs as "Ortofen", "Ibuprofen", "Diclofenac" are taken - they relieve pain and improve the treatment process. It is necessary to treat sciatica in a comprehensive manner. Thus, drug therapy will temporarily remove the symptoms, but soon the pain will return and become even stronger. Complex treatment involves drug therapy and therapeutic exercises aimed at restoring motor activity.

Medicines

The doctor prescribes medications for the restoration of the sciatic nerve based on the symptoms of the disease, the results of diagnosis and the course of the disease. Let's look at the most popular non-steroidal drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Available without a prescription: Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen, Advil, Orudis and others.
• Available only with a prescription: Motrin, Volterene, Seractil, Anaprox and others.

Taking these drugs effectively relieves inflammation. It is recommended to take them before or after meals, since taking them during meals slows down the action of the active substances included in the drugs. Please note that regular use of anti-inflammatory drugs increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, taking drugs for a long time is not recommended.

Another medication that is used in the treatment of sciatica described above with tablets is blockers or inhibitors. The medications protect the body from the side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and improve their effectiveness, these include Prilosec, Lansoprazole, Nexium. It is not recommended to take medications without a doctor's prescription, as this can cause irreversible side effects.

Painkillers

Painkillers for sciatic nerve inflammation help improve the patient's well-being and effectively relieve pain. Let's look at the main types of painkillers used for sciatic nerve inflammation.

Opioid painkillers are chemical drugs that cause insensitivity to pain and stupor. The drugs are classified as narcotics, and their use is prohibited without medical permission. The most common painkillers are Morphine, Percadone, Vicodin, Codeine and others. These drugs effectively but briefly relieve pain. There are pain-relieving patches that are used to treat sciatica. The skin patch contains opioid drugs, but in small quantities.

The main side effects of the above-described drugs are nausea, vomiting, paranoia, anxiety, restlessness, and others. In addition, taking the drugs can cause addiction, so it is not recommended to take them for a long time.

Treatment with injections

Treatment of sciatic nerve inflammation with injections is an effective way to relieve pain and cure the disease. It is generally accepted that treatment with injections is an extreme but effective measure that helps with a sharp exacerbation of the disease. Injections for sciatic nerve inflammation are done as close as possible to the site of the lesion, using the lumbar puncture method. This method locally affects the inflamed nerve, which increases the effectiveness of treatment.

Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by a doctor are used for injections. Treatment with injections reduces side effects of drugs and shows high results. The dosage and number of injections are prescribed by a doctor after diagnosis and study of the symptoms of the disease.

Blockade

Blockade for inflammation of the sciatic nerve is a form of drug treatment. Blockade is done to reduce pain symptoms and improve treatment. The basis of the blockade is a temporary interruption in the sensitivity of the nerves and a change in the functioning of other nerve endings. The blockade is done using anesthetics. The second name of the blockade is an analgesic block; novocaine blockades are most often used.

Sciatic nerve block is a kind of pain relief that occurs due to the sensitivity of nerve endings. The block does not cause complications for the body and is an intramuscular injection. The advantages of the block are obvious - treatment effectiveness, availability and reasonable cost.

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Ointments

Ointments for sciatic nerve inflammation are effective remedies that relieve pain and have a beneficial effect on the inflammatory process. The most popular and safe ointment for rubbing is "Finalgon". When applied to the skin, it has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Treatment with ointments is combined with other therapeutic measures (gymnastics, drug therapy, injections). Ointment "Viprosal" is a medicine based on bee venom. The ointment perfectly warms the affected area, relieves pain and fights inflammation.

It is not recommended to use ointments for medicinal purposes on your own. Since the ointment can cause an allergic reaction - skin dermatitis, rash, swelling. The drug is prescribed by a doctor and gives recommendations on dosage and correct use.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for sciatic nerve inflammation are treatment methods of folk medicine that allow you to eliminate pain quickly and effectively. But the main advantage of the folk method of treatment is that the drugs used are available to everyone. Let's look at several methods of treatment with folk remedies.

• A healing compress made from flour – take rye flour and knead a thick dough. Place the dough flatbread on the affected area and wrap it in polyethylene and a warm blanket for a couple of hours.
• Medicinal bath – helps with an attack of inflammation of the sciatic nerve. In a bath with warm water, you need to put gauze with finely grated horseradish. Water procedures should be carried out for 14-20 days for an effective result.
• Treatment with paraffin (candle wax) - melted wax is applied in a thin layer to the affected area. At least 30 layers of wax must be applied in one procedure. The treatment is carried out with a break after every three procedures.

Folk remedies for treating sciatic nerve inflammation are effective only if the disease is at an early stage and has no acute manifestations. Such treatment methods are recommended to be used in combination with drug treatment and physiotherapy.

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Massage

Massage for sciatic nerve inflammation is a way to relax the muscles and relieve pain. The massage begins with massaging the lumbosacral region of the back, that is, the knee joints, buttocks and thighs. During the massage, the patient should be in a horizontal position, preferably on a hard surface. Let's look at the stages of massage for the treatment of sciatica.

• Buttocks, lower back, tailbone - gently massage and stroke to warm up the muscles. When massaging this area, it is recommended to use medicinal ointments and gels.
• The back of the thigh and shin - massage with rubbing and stroking movements. It is very important not to press on the muscle tissue, so as not to cause a pain attack.
• The massage ends with massaging the pain points of the sciatic nerve. The area of the lower edge of the sacrum, the area between the coccyx and the ilium, the gluteal fossa and the thighs are massaged.

Massage effectively helps in treating sciatic nerve inflammation at any stage of development. But massage is not a panacea, so it is used as an additional therapeutic therapy.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics for sciatic nerve inflammation is a set of exercises that can reduce the intensity of pain and improve the condition of a patient with sciatica.

The benefits of gymnastics for sciatica are that it increases blood flow to the sore spot and acts as a natural safe analgesic. Let's look at the main gymnastics procedures for treating sciatica.

• Position - lying down - lying on your back, pull your knees to your chest and clasp your buttocks with your hands. Try to stay in this position for at least 30-40 seconds. The exercise should be done in ten steps.
• Position - sitting - sit on the floor and stretch your legs, raise your arms to shoulder level and spread them to the sides. Hands should be moved back and try to bring the shoulder blades together. The gymnastics is performed slowly in five to six approaches.
• Position - standing - feet shoulder-width apart, left hand reaches for right leg, right hand for left leg, alternately. During the exercise, you need to bend well and try to touch the floor. This gymnastic exercise improves blood flow to the muscles of the arms, abdomen and legs.

It is recommended to perform exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist, as acute pain may occur during gymnastics and emergency medical care will be required. Gymnastics has a positive effect on the entire body and should be performed regularly.

Exercises

Exercises for sciatic nerve inflammation are part of the therapeutic gymnastics complex. The exercises are aimed at relaxing the muscles and relieving pain. Regular exercise stimulates blood flow to the sore spot and accelerates the treatment of sciatica. We offer you the most popular exercises.

• Lie down on the floor and pull your knees up to your chest. Keep your body straight and lower your knees alternately to the left and right. Note that your knees should be together.
• Position - lying on your stomach, arms bent at the elbows, palms resting on the floor. Try to hold the plank, stretching your back as much as possible.
• Lie on your back and bend your knees. Press your back to the floor and tense your back muscles. Tighten and relax your muscles alternately. This exercise will effectively relieve acute pain and relax your back muscles.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is a very unpleasant disease that affects the lumbosacral region. Treatment takes a lot of time and effort, so it is easier to prevent the disease. As a preventive measure, we recommend monitoring your posture, regularly doing warm-ups and morning exercises, sleeping only on a hard bed and avoiding soft furniture, not carrying or lifting heavy objects. At the first symptoms of the disease, it is better to seek medical help and undergo preventive procedures.