Sciatica medical therapy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Medical Therapy

Treatment of the underlying cause of the compression is often the most effective course. When the cause is due to a prolapsed or lumbar disc herniation, research has shown that, with supportive treatment to help relieve pain, 90% of disc prolapse will recover with no specific intervention. Genetics appear to influence the risk of developing disc herniation.

Most cases of sciatica can be effectively treated by one or a combination of the following:

Medication therapies

• Anti-inflammatory medications (i.e. NSAIDs or oral steroids)
• Pain medications (e.g. acetaminophen)
• Epidural steroid injections to deliver local anti-inflammatory agents (and possibly a pain medication) directly to the affected area.