Common signs of sciatica

(Baonghean) -Sciatica is a difficult condition to treat. Recently, many patients have come to Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital to treat this disease.

Professor Cao Minh Chau shares his experience in diagnosing diseases through X-rays with doctors at Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital. Photo: Thanh Thuy

Worrying signs

Master Thai Thi Xuan - Director of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital said: Common signs in people with sciatica are pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve from the lower back, buttocks, thighs or calves. Fatigue, numbness or loss of sensation in the legs or feet. Feeling of stinging, itching, burning, like being pinched, pricked. Walking, standing up, sitting down is very difficult and painful. Sharp back pain when coughing, sneezing, or laughing. The spine is stiff, painful when leaning, or just moving the body a little is painful, bending down is also painful.

Sciatica is more common in men than in women and usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. There are many different causes that affect the origin and the path of the sciatic nerve. Systemic causes are rare, while root damage causes account for 90-95%. The leading causes of sciatic nerve root compression are disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, lumbar spine degeneration, and lumbar spinal stenosis. These groups of degenerative causes can be combined.

Doctor checks the reaction of a patient with sciatica. Photo: Thanh Thuy

If sciatica is not monitored and treated promptly, it can become severe and cause many dangerous complications: The pain will gradually increase in intensity and frequency, greatly affecting daily activities and limiting the ability to work. The pain often causes insomnia, irritability, fatigue, and reduces the quality of life. When the disease has progressed for a long time, it can also cause dangerous complications such as loss of sensation and ability to control foot movements, atrophy of muscles along the sciatic nerve, loss of bowel and bladder control, and can even lead to scoliosis, bladder opening, or even disability.

How to treat sciatica?

Mr. Nguyen Van Hanh (59 years old) in Hung Binh ward (Vinh city) has suffered from sciatica for more than 10 years. It is very difficult to walk, the spine is stiff, the disease is so severe that it leads to bowel and bladder disorders... Mr. Hanh said: Living with the disease for more than 10 years, there were times when he felt depressed because almost all his activities depended on his family members. Since he returned to Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital for treatment, he has been taken care of wholeheartedly by doctors, nurses, and especially by the hospital's rehabilitation and physical therapy, so his health has improved a lot.

As for Mr. Hoang Cong Sang in Hung Thong commune (Hung Nguyen), 60 years old this year, he has had sciatica for 5 years. Due to not being treated in time, he has left quite serious consequences: unable to walk, atrophied thigh and buttocks muscles... almost only using a wheelchair to move. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hong - Mr. Sang's wife said, she has to serve him in everything. Wherever he goes, she follows. For more than a year now, the family has decided to transfer his insurance to Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital for treatment and recovery. Recently, fortunately, Professor Cao Minh Chau directly examined and treated him, so his health has improved a lot, the family is very excited.

To effectively treat sciatica, according to Professor Cao Minh Chau - Head of the Department of Rehabilitation, Hanoi Medical University, former Deputy Director of Bach Mai Rehabilitation Center, who directly provides professional support to Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital, said: For sciatica, the most important thing is to accurately diagnose the cause of the disease.

At Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital, patients are treated with a combination of physical therapy and rehabilitation in pain relief and motor function recovery. This treatment will prevent secondary injuries and complications. Surgical interventions are only performed when absolutely necessary and conservative methods are ineffective. During the treatment process, patients must rest completely in severe cases, should lie on a hard bed, avoid lying in a hammock or sitting in a swing chair; avoid vigorous movements such as sudden turns, running, jumping, bending over...

X-ray of a patient with sciatica. Photo: Thanh Thuy

Physical therapy and rehabilitation methods such as thermotherapy have the effect of reducing pain, preventing muscle spasms, dilating blood vessels, and enhancing nutritional metabolism such as: infrared, shortwave, therapeutic ultrasound; Farafine bundles, pain-relieving microcurrents, drug bundles, electromagnetic fields; drug electrolysis... Note: Do not use in cases of acute inflammation. Electrotherapy methods: pulses, electrolysis, TENS currents, and interference currents have the effect of stimulating the nerves and muscles, reducing pain, and enhancing metabolism. Massage techniques, soft tissue mobility in the lumbar region and affected legs.

Through reflex and mechanical mechanisms, it has the effect of increasing circulation, nutrient metabolism and excretion, regulating the pathological process, relaxing deep muscles and joints, and reducing pain. In addition, spinal traction can be performed manually in the acute phase or by traction machine in the subacute and chronic phase, applied 1-2 times/day, 15-20 minutes each time. Indicated in cases of spinal degeneration and disc herniation, it has the effect of reducing intra-articular pressure, while also stretching the ligament system around the joint, especially the posterior longitudinal ligament, reducing pressure on the nerve roots or discs.

Sciatica can become chronic, requiring a monthly or 3-monthly follow-up and re-examination plan to promptly detect deformities or worsening symptoms as well as change appropriate treatment methods.

Thanh Thuy