Have you noticed thigh, hip, or buttocks discomfort, weak muscles, tingling sensations or numbness, and even challenges with your balance?
These symptoms are all linked to sciatica, which is more than just back pain. It’s a neurological condition brought on by sciatic nerve compression. Your sciatic nerve runs from your buttocks down each leg.
If you’ve been coping with the debilitating symptoms of sciatica, board-certified neurosurgeons Dr. David Westra and Dr. Katherine Wagner at Ventura Neurosurgery in Midtown, Ventura, California, can help.
We’re here to offer advanced treatment — including a surgical solution if necessary — and are happy to answer any questions related to your diagnosis, treatment plan, and recovery, should you need surgery to relieve your symptoms.
Unfortunately, sciatica impacts 40% of Americans at some point in their lives. We’re talking about a lot of discomfort!
We all know that nagging pain, sensitivity, loss of sensation in some instances, weakness, and more aren’t just uncomfortable. These symptoms lower your quality of life in such a way that in addition to physical problems, you might also feel emotionally depleted, anxious, and depressed.
This is no way to live, so seeking proper diagnosis and treatment is critical.
We’ve compiled several sciatica‑related symptoms that may signal a more serious problem and warrant neurosurgical evaluation.
If your pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms progress, surgery may be needed, especially if treatments like epidural steroid injections and physical therapy have been unsuccessful.
Some patients also experience a disturbing sensation that feels like something is crawling on their skin as well as intensified pain sensitivity.
Neurosurgery for sciatica is recommended when a patient loses bladder or bowel control, or has problems passing urine, a decreased urgency to urinate, or develops a weak urine stream.
These symptoms require urgent medical evaluation, as they may indicate cauda equina syndrome.
Fever, severe back pain, or signs of systemic illness may indicate a spinal infection, which requires urgent specialist evaluation. If a spinal infection progresses without treatment, it can lead to serious complications, including sepsis.
Injury‑related sciatica can signal an underlying structural issue, such as a significant disc herniation or a spinal fracture, that requires specialist evaluation.
Persistent night pain can indicate a more serious underlying condition and warrants specialist evaluation.
Though many people prefer to avoid surgery, it can be the most effective and freeing option when your Ventura Neurosurgery provider recommends it.
At Ventura Neurosurgery, our team offers recommendations backed by solid knowledge and years of experience. We may recommend a minimally invasive spinal surgical procedure to give you relief from sciatica pain and other symptoms.
To ease your sciatic nerve compression, we might advise solutions such as:
These procedures relieve nerve compression, and fusion specifically stabilizes the spine when needed.
Fortunately, these solutions typically achieve their goals through minimally invasive surgery, which requires smaller incisions and is less traumatic to your body. It also helps you heal faster and reduces bleeding, scarring, and the risk of post‑surgical infection.
Our team is dedicated to restoring your quality of life so you can move freely without pain once again — and take advantage of all life has to offer. Contact our office today at 805-590-4365 to schedule an appointment or book via our website.
