“Can back surgery help sciatica?”

It depends whats causing the sciatica. In general, you want to avoid back surgery if all possible. Go to someone who specializes in non surgical spinal decompression therapy before even considering back surgery. Sent from Gmail Mobile

Depends on what is causing the sciatica. I would suggest seeing a chiropractor first. If there is a lack of mobility in your low back or a misalignment, the muscles will put pressure on your sciatic nerve therefore irritating it and causing it sciatica. I would look into other options first and make surgery your absolute last resort. Thank you for your time! Dr. Kortni Smith Owner IMS Chiropractic Clinic (760) 285-3824 [cid:image005.jpg@01D9F3DE.1289A480]

Sciatica is a term that is used to mean several diagnoses that include any pain that affects the lower back and hip, or pain down the leg. It is very important to have a doctor provide a definitive diagnosis as this determines the treatment options. Specifically for the diagnosis of disc herniation that is compressing a portion of the sciatic nerve, surgery can be very helpful

Spinal surgery on the whole has a roughly 50% success rate. The rub is in the definition of success: You are, 5 years after the surgery, *no worse* than you were when you first consulted with the MD. One should explore options, especially including upper cervical chiropractic care. Physical therapists do a marvellous job of choosing appropriate exercises, but sadly, most people do not do them. I have personal experience here, as I had sciatica for 35 years in the aftermath of a high speed head on when I was a ten year old child. Adjusting my low back gave 2 or 3 days relief, but once my C1 and C2 were successfully adjusted, the sciatica drifted away.

Sciatica has several causes - nerve root impingement caused by disc herniations or arthritis, piriformis syndrome, muscle spasm, and a few others. First - determining the cause is of primary importance. Back surgery - even most surgeons would tell you - is a last resort. Non-invasive methods of treatment once the cause is determined would be physical therapy, chiropractic care, spinal decompression, pain management via injections, shock wave therapy, well before considering surgery UNLESS the cause is urgent, such as a migrating fragmented disc, or you are progressively over a short period of time losing neurological function.