Sciatica disease – symptoms, causes, diagnosis & stem cell therapy

Sciatica is a common condition that causes pain and altered sensation in the buttocks and legs. It happens when the sciatic nerve gets compressed or irritated. This can lead to several symptoms, such as back pain, nerve pain, and pain in the legs.

Bilateral sciatica affects both sides of your body and might be a sign of something serious. It could mean you have Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES), where the nerves in the lower spinal cord are compressed. If you have pain on both sides, it’s crucial to see a doctor quickly. Getting a fast diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in your recovery.

There are different reasons why someone might develop sciatica. These can include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and piriformis syndrome. Herniated discs come from the soft tissue in your spine bulging through a tear in the disc. Spinal stenosis happens when the spinal canal narrows, squeezing the nerves. Piriformis syndrome is when the piriformis muscle in your buttocks puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Key Takeaways:

• Sciatica is characterized by pain and altered sensation in the buttocks and legs.
• Bilateral sciatica may indicate a more serious underlying condition like Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).
• The causes of sciatic nerve flare-ups include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and piriformis syndrome.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing bilateral sciatica and avoiding further complications.
• Stem cell therapy is an innovative treatment option for sciatica pain relief and promoting healing in the affected area.

Causes and Diagnosis of Sciatica

Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve is bothered. This leads to pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the butt, legs, and feet. Common causes include slipped discs, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and more.

A slipped or herniated disc comes from the soft inner part of a disc sticking out. This can irritate the sciatic nerve. Degenerative disc disease is when the discs in your spine break down, losing their cushion and pressing against the nerve. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back, squeezing nerves such as the sciatic. As for pregnancy, a bigger uterus might press on the nerve, leading to sciatica. Spondylolisthesis is when a vertebrae slides forward, possibly pinching the sciatic nerve.

Diagnosing sciatica needs a detailed medical history and physical exam. Doctors will ask about your symptoms and how they affect you. They might do tests like straight leg raises to see if a nerve is compressed. Imaging tests such as X-rays and MRIs help find the root cause.

Common Causes of Sciatica:

• Slipped or herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Pregnancy
• Spondylolisthesis

Stem Cell Therapy for Sciatica Pain Relief

Stem cell therapy is a new way to treat sciatica pain by using the body’s own cells. It focuses on using adult stem cells, specifically mesenchymal stem cells. These cells are taken from the patient’s fat or bone marrow. This makes the treatment safe and customized for each person.

This therapy’s goal is to fight against nerve damage that might not get better. It looks to reduce the pain and issues that come with sciatica without needing surgery. Stem cell therapy is different from traditional methods like steroid shots or operations. It brings hope with its potential long-lasting effects.

During the therapy, stem cells are injected right where they’re needed. They help the body heal and lower swelling. This way of using regenerative medicine has already shown it can turn around nerve damage. It has the chance to make life better for those with ongoing pain. The price of treatment can change based on the damage to the nerve. But, those who are eligible will get a plan set at a fixed cost. This plan will cover the whole treatment.