Sciatica Treatment in Tampa, Florida
Sciatica: Address the Cause, Not Just the Symptoms
Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself. It is a symptom, and one of the most recognized in all of spine care: a searing, radiating pain that travels from the lower back through the hip and down one or both legs along the path of the sciatic nerve. Some patients describe it as a sharp shooting pain. Others experience a persistent burning, or tingling and numbness that disrupts their ability to sit, stand, or sleep. What connects all of these presentations is that the pain is being driven by nerve compression somewhere in the lumbar spine, and until that compression is addressed structurally, the symptoms will continue.
At 360 Ortho & Spine in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Stefan Prada is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon who treats the spinal conditions causing sciatica using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. Rather than managing sciatic pain temporarily with injections or medication, Dr. Prada identifies the structural cause, whether it is a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or another condition, and addresses it directly without metal implants or fusion. Most patients complete their recovery in approximately six weeks.
If sciatica has been limiting your life and conservative treatments haven't provided lasting relief, request a consultation at 360 Ortho & Spine today.
What Is Sciatica and What Causes It?
Understanding Sciatica and Its Treatment
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body, running from the lower lumbar spine through the buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica occurs when this nerve, or one of its contributing nerve roots, is compressed or irritated at its origin in the spine. The result is pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that radiates along the nerve's path, sometimes reaching the foot.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is a symptom of nerve compression, not a standalone condition. Identifying the underlying structural cause determines the appropriate treatment. The most common causes include:
- Herniated disc: Displaced disc material pressing directly on a lumbar nerve root
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the nerve roots
- Bone spurs: Bony overgrowths that reduce available space for nerve roots in the canal or foraminal openings
Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica typically causes pain that begins in the lower back or buttock and radiates down the back of the leg on one or both sides. The pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation. Patients may also experience tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness in the affected leg, particularly with prolonged sitting or specific movements.
Sciatica Treatment at 360 Ortho & Spine
For patients whose sciatica has not responded to conservative care, Dr. Prada offers:
- Endoscopic Discectomy: Removes herniated disc material compressing the sciatic nerve root
- Spinal Decompression Surgery: Relieves pressure on the nerve roots causing sciatica through endoscopic techniques
- Endoscopic Laminotomy: Creates space within the spinal canal to relieve nerve root compression
All procedures are performed endoscopically, without metal implants or fusion, and with a recovery most patients complete in approximately six weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sciatica and what causes it?
Sciatica is the symptom of sciatic nerve compression or irritation, most commonly caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or bone spur in the lumbar spine pressing on one of the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. The resulting pain, tingling, or numbness typically radiates from the lower back through the hip and down the leg, sometimes reaching the foot.
What treatments are available for sciatica?
Conservative sciatica treatments including physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and steroid injections can provide temporary relief for many patients. When these measures fail to address the underlying structural cause, surgical treatment may be appropriate. At 360 Ortho & Spine, Dr. Prada identifies the specific cause of each patient's sciatica and treats it using endoscopic procedures without metal implants or fusion. Small incisions preserve the muscle and ligaments during surgery.
How is sciatica treated at 360 Ortho & Spine in Tampa, Florida?
Dr. Prada begins with a thorough review of each patient's imaging during a one-on-one consultation. Depending on the cause of the sciatica, he may recommend an endoscopic discectomy, laminotomy, or decompression procedure to relieve the nerve compression responsible for the radiating pain. All procedures are performed without metal implants, and most patients return to normal activity in approximately six weeks.
How do I find a sciatica specialist near me?
Finding a sciatica specialist who treats the underlying structural cause, rather than just managing symptoms, can take time. Scheduling with Dr. Prada at 360 Ortho & Spine in Tampa, Florida, is easy: request a consultation online or call our office, and our team will reach out to help plan your visit. We look forward to helping you get lasting relief.