Sciatica could be your body's cry for help

Sciatica - pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the back and leg - can be a real pain to deal with, but it should not be ignored. Sciatica is caused by injury to, or pressure on, the sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back and down each leg. Since it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, it's important to identify the cause and seek treatment.

If the pain is caused by a more serious issue such as slipped disc, spinal stenosis or fracture, permanent numbness or weakness of the leg may occur if left untreated. In some cases, no treatment is necessary, and recovery occurs on its own. Seeing an experienced orthopedic spine surgeon can help you understand your specific condition.

Athens Orthopedic Clinic's expert team of orthopedic specialists, surgeons and therapists offers customized, complete, well-coordinated care for all causes of spine, neck and back pain. Nonsurgical options include:

• Physical therapy
• Pain management such as steroid injections, nerve blocks or platelet-rich plasma

If these don't help, surgery may offer the best chance for recovery. In most cases, surgeries can be performed using less invasive approaches - smaller incisions, specialized equipment and innovative techniques - for less pain and a faster recovery.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, click here.

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