Stepwise treatment of low back pain for prolapsed disc (Sciatica)

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Sciatica is a common cause of severe back pain, especially amongst young individuals. It can lead to reduced quality of life and productivity.

The key to effective management is to use modern pain reduction techniques in a step-wise fashion ‘stepping up’ to the next treatment if the current treatment fails. As you step up to the next treatment, it is more likely to help but carries more risk.

The treatment usually starts from the most simple measures progressing to complex surgical solutions

  1. Physiotherapy and activity modification—Good posture, avoid heavy lifting, back strengthening exercises, medications.
  2. Epidural injections —    A steroid injection is giving into the back to help relieve symptoms. The effects could be variable
  • laser disc decompression–   Laser energy is used to vaporize the offending part of the disc This helps to relieve the pain. The advantage is that there is no incision, can be done under local anaesthesia (awake surgery)
  • Endoscopic( keyhole) back surgery- This involves using making a small incision about a fingers breadth on the back.  A camera is inserted and instruments are used to remove the part of disc compressing on the nerve
  • Open discectomy—This is usually the last resort and is reserved for patients. This may sometimes require fusion of the spine.

For more information please call 08185559371 or 09055677083