Sciatica is the sharp, radiating leg pain that happens when the sciatic nerve gets pinched somewhere along its path. The pain can travel from the low back all the way down to the foot, and it can make sitting, standing, and sleeping miserable.
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The pinch on the nerve almost always starts in the low back, often from a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or an arthritic joint pressing on a nerve root.
Most patients improve with targeted, image-guided injections that reduce the inflammation around the nerve. Surgery is rarely the first step.
Sciatica has a classic pattern. Recognizing it is the first step toward relief.
We work in steps. Most patients get meaningful relief with targeted, image-guided injections.
A targeted injection into the epidural space that calms inflammation around the pinched nerve root. Often the single most effective non-surgical treatment for sciatica.
A more precise epidural that targets the exact nerve root causing your leg pain. Useful for stubborn or one-sided sciatica.
When arthritic spine joints are adding to the problem, a targeted block of the small nerves that supply those joints can reduce back and leg pain together.
Targeted injections into tight muscles in the low back and buttock that can squeeze the sciatic nerve. Often a helpful layer in a broader plan.
Seek care urgently for new bladder or bowel changes, loss of sensation in the saddle area, or progressive leg weakness. These can signal a serious nerve compression that needs same-day evaluation.
If leg pain is severe, if it lasts more than a few weeks, or if you have new weakness or numbness, it is time for a specialist. Waiting months usually makes treatment harder, not easier.
Most patients with sciatica improve without surgery. A well-timed injection and a short course of physical therapy resolve the majority of cases. Surgery stays reserved for red flags or cases that fail conservative care.
Many patients feel better within a few days to a couple of weeks. The benefit can last months, and if it wears off, a second injection often extends the relief.