Sciatica Specialist

Spine & Joint Physicians of Frisco

Board Certified Interventional Pain Management Physician located in Frisco, TX & Lewisville, TX

You may be surprised to learn that more people are diagnosed with sciatica in their 40s than at any other age. At Spine & Joint Physicians of Frisco, S. Justin Badiyan, MD, helps patients of all ages overcome the excruciating pain of sciatica with minimally invasive interventional treatments such as steroid injections, spinal cord stimulation, and spinal decompression. If you need relief from the shooting pain, call the office in Frisco or Lewisville, Texas, or schedule an appointment online today.

Sciatica Q & A

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain and other symptoms that develop along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower spine, down both legs, and into your feet. In most cases, sciatica occurs when the nerve is compressed at the spine. Though not as common, the problem can also develop when muscles in the buttocks pinch the nerve.

Spinal conditions that often cause sciatica include:

Herniated disc
Bone spurs
Slipped vertebrae
Spinal stenosis
Degenerative disc disease

A herniated disc is responsible for sciatica in about 90% of all patients.

What symptoms develop due to sciatica?

Sciatica is known for the excruciating pain that starts in your lower back and shoots down one leg like an electric shock. However, some patients describe it as a burning, aching, or cramping type of pain. Your pain may feel worse after sitting for an extended time or when you cough or sneeze. You may also develop tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness along the nerve.

How do interventional pain specialists treat sciatica?

The treatments interventional pain specialists use are highly effective because they directly target the nerve. Dr. Badiyan at Spine & joint Physicians of Frisco may recommend one of several possible therapies, such as:

Selective nerve root blocks

Dr. Badiyan performs a selective nerve root block using real-time X-ray imaging to guide the injection and place a local anesthetic directly around the nerve. The anesthetic blocks nerve signals, preventing pain messages from getting to your brain. In some cases, Dr. Badiyan may add a steroid to your injection to reduce inflammation and produce longer-lasting pain relief.

Epidural steroid injections

An epidural steroid injection can treat multiple nerves at one time as Dr. Badiyan injects the medication into the epidural space, a fat-filled area between the spine and its protective outer covering that allows the steroid to flow around nearby nerves. This type of injection often includes a local anesthetic together with the steroid.

Vertiflex® Superion® Indirect Decompression System

When spinal stenosis causes the pinching of your sciatic nerve, Dr. Badiyan may recommend the Superion implant. Using a minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Badiyan inserts this small device between two vertebrae, where it slightly separates the bones and relieves pressure on the nerve. The Superion alleviates your sciatica while preserving spinal mobility.

HF10™ therapy

The HF10 is one of today’s most advanced spinal cord stimulators. After Dr. Badiyan implants the device, it sends mild electrical pulses to your spine, calming the nerves and blocking pain signals.

If you suffer from ongoing sciatica, call Spine & Joint Physicians of Frisco or schedule an appointment online.

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