Should I Consider Nerve Ablation for Sciatica? A Harvard-Trained Back Pain Doctor Responds
April 28, 2022
Sciatica is caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. People who suffer from sciatica also refer to this condition as “aaahhhh!”, “ouch!”, and “not again!” This is because sciatica is extremely painful, and greatly affects your daily plans. When a person’s sciatica flares up, it makes it almost impossible to bend, stand, or move without excruciating lower back pain. Some people even have hip and leg pain, since the sciatic nerve is very long and runs through both of these areas.
What can be done for sciatica pain relief? At Pain Treatment Specialists, our back pain specialists use minimally invasive treatment for sciatica pain, and find great success with their results. Many patients report feeling a significant amount of pain reduction after receiving a treatment plan at Pain Treatment Specialists, and are able to quickly resume normal activities. Some of our treatments for back pain include nerve ablation for sciatica, and radiofrequency ablation for degenerative disc disease. Schedule an appointment at one of Pain Treatment Specialists’ convenient locations in NYC. northern NJ, or Long Island and find out how you can move your life from “ouch!” to “amazing!”
What is Nerve Ablation for Sciatica?
Sciatica is a very common lower back pain condition that feels like a burning or shooting pain in your lower back that can radiate down your hips and legs. Typically, sciatica pain is only felt on one side of the body. This nerve pain is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which begins in the lower back and goes down through your buttocks, hips, and legs.A herniated disc is one reason why nerves are compressed and causing pain.
One way to address this nerve pain and transmission of pain signals is through nerve ablation for sciatica. Radiofrequency ablation is one of the minimally invasive tools available at Pain Treatment Specialists for sciatica pain relief. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat energy to deactivate the nerve endings that are causing pain. There are no long term effects of radiofrequency ablation, and RFA is a medical treatment that should only be utilized in a licensed pain clinic. Is there pain in the leg after radiofrequency ablation? No, and the down time from this procedure is minimal.
Nerve ablation for sciatica is available at Pain Treatment Specialists, which is a cutting-edge pain clinic staffed with experienced and knowledgeable back pain doctors.
What Causes Sciatic Nerve Pain?
Pain and sciatica go hand-in-hand. This condition is intensely painful, and when it suddenly occurs can stop people in their tracks. There are several causes of sciatic nerve pain, which include the following:
- Herniated lumbar disc: This condition causes one of the spine’s discs to protrude and put pressure on the nerves in your lower back. Not all herniated discs cause sciatic nerve pain, but this is one of the leading causes of lower back pain.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis: The term “spinal stenosis” is a narrowing in the space for nerves in the spine. This narrowing causes weakness and numbness in the lower back and legs.
- Lumbar degenerative disc disease: As we age, our body begins to break down due to wear and tear. This condition speeds up the breakdown process, causing pain in your lower back that becomes worse while sitting. Radiofrequency ablation for degenerative disc disease is an appropriate treatment for this condition.
Does sciatica pain come and go? Yes, depending on the activities and movements that stress your underlying back pain condition. For example, lumbar degenerative disc disease causes the most pain in your lower back when you’ve been sitting for an extended period of time.
During your consultation with the back pain specialists at Pain Treatment Specialists, you’ll receive a proper diagnosis for the underlying cause of your sciatica. You will also have plenty of time to ask questions to your back pain doctor about what is causing your sciatic nerve pain, and how a comprehensive treatment plan properly addresses your pain.
Why Should I Avoid Surgery for Sciatic Pain Relief?
Will hip replacement surgery help sciatica? Unless you address the underlying cause of your sciatic nerve pain, hip replacement surgery does not help sciatica. Surgery is not the best option for sciatic pain relief, and under the medical advice of the back pain doctors at Pain Treatment Specialists should be avoided whenever possible. Some pitfalls of surgery include:
- Loss of leg strength after back surgery
- Limited range of motion
- Surgery recovery time is long and painful
- Need extra assistance for daily tasks
- Exposure to dangerous and addictive narcotics
Before considering surgery of any kind for chronic pain conditions like neck pain, leg pain, joint pain, or nerve pain, consult with an interventional pain doctor. This type of doctor uses minimally invasive procedures for chronic pain conditions that are more effective and less invasive than surgery.
If you’re considering nerve ablation for sciatica, meet with the nationally recognized pain doctors at Pain Treatment Specialists. With locations in NYC, northern NJ, and Long Island, our team of back pain specialists customize a treatment plan that works to address your specific back pain concerns.
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Scheduling a consultation with one of our pain treatment specialists is one of the best ways to determine the proper solution for pain relief.
Meet our Harvard trained team
Dr. George Hanna
Harvard Medical School | NY & NJ Pain Specialist
Dr. Hanna received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed anesthesiology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Medical School and a pain management fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hanna was then appointed Clinical Instructor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School – training new graduates for over 3 years in anesthesiology and pain management techniques at Massachusetts General Hospital.
