Sciatica treatment in Dhaka
Radiating leg pain · সায়াটিকা ও পায়ে ছড়িয়ে পড়া ব্যথা
Sciatica describes pain that travels from the lower back down the back of the leg, along the path of the sciatic nerve. It is a symptom, so the aim is to find what is pressing on the nerve.
Draft patient information — awaiting medical review by Prof. Dr. Md. Kamrul Ahsan before publication.
Overview
The sciatic nerve is formed from several nerve roots in the lower spine. When one of these roots is irritated or compressed, pain, numbness or tingling can be felt anywhere along its course — buttock, thigh, calf or foot.
Common causes include a disc prolapse, age-related narrowing of the spinal canal, and slippage of one vertebra on another. Identifying the cause guides treatment.
Symptoms that may need assessment
- Sharp or burning pain running from the buttock down one leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Pain that is worse on sitting or standing for long periods
- Weakness in the leg or foot
Seek urgent medical care if you have
- Loss of control of the bladder or bowel
- Numbness around the groin, buttocks or back passage
- Weakness in the arms or legs that is getting worse
- Severe pain after a fall, road accident or other injury
- Back or neck pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer
How it is assessed
- Clinical and neurological examination, including nerve-tension tests
- MRI to identify the level and cause of nerve compression when indicated
- Further tests if another cause of leg pain is suspected
Treatment options
Non-surgical care
- Medicines for pain and nerve-related pain as prescribed
- Physiotherapy, core strengthening and posture correction
- Advice on sitting, lifting and returning to activity
Surgical options
When a structural cause is confirmed and symptoms persist or nerve function worsens, decompression surgery may be considered to relieve pressure on the nerve.
No treatment can guarantee a particular result. Your options, their benefits and their risks are discussed with you at consultation.
Recovery
Many people see sciatica ease over weeks. Recovery after any procedure varies from person to person and will be explained at consultation.
Questions patients ask
Is sciatica the same as a slipped disc?
Not exactly. A slipped disc is one common cause of sciatica, but narrowing of the spinal canal and other conditions can also press on the nerve.
When is leg pain urgent?
Seek care immediately for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or back passage, or rapidly worsening weakness in the legs.
From Prof. Ahsan’s published research
Discectomy for primary and recurrent prolapse of lumbar intervertebral discs
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) in symptomatic low grade isthmic spondylolisthesis
Degenerative lumbar canal stenosis: results of operative treatment
This page is general information for patients and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. See the medical disclaimer.
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Book a consultation with Prof. Ahsan
Call the hotline for a serial at either chamber in Dhaka. Bring your previous prescriptions, reports and any X-ray, MRI or CT films.