Question 1

is prednisone an effective treatment for siatic nerve pain?

Accepted Answer

Sciatica: Low back pain that radiates into the leg is called sciatica.  A herniated disc in the lumbar area is one common cause.  Simple exercises and stretching, over the counter pain medication,  or prednisone or other steroid medications like Medrol (methylprednisolone) dosepak can reduce  inflammation.  Physical therapy can help.  If it has been present for more than 3 weeks, see a Doctor.  An MRI might be the next step.

Question 2

what is the best treatment for sciatic nerve pain?

Accepted Answer

Sciatic Pain: The first step is to determine the cause of the pain.  Sciatic pain will generally extend below the knee and the most common cause are disc herniations at l4-5 or l5-s1. If an MRI does not reveal a source, there are times that the sciatic nerve can be entraped as it exits the pelvis, piriformis syndrome.  The history of onset and examination are key to making the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

Question 3

how is a dx of piriformis syndrone made? is it merely sciatic nerve irratation that radiates to buttocks. what is the treatment?

Accepted Answer

Exam: The primary diagnostic tool is a detailed exam.  A nerve conduction test specifically looking for piriformis syndrome can confirm.  An injection in the piriformis area is used and can be both therapeutic and diagnostic.  Physical therapy can be helpful in many cases.

Question 4

hi there,
my gp has advised me that i have a slipped disc in my lower back possibly affecting my sciatic nerve. 
what treatment is available?

Accepted Answer

See below : •Conservative treatment generally first: 
A) Supportive care: ice packs and rest;
B) Meds: NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, analgesics, steroids, nerve pain meds
C) Physical therapy and exercises; 
D) Chiropractic techniques, stretching, yoga, massages, heat/ultrasound, acupuncture 
E) Pain management: epidural steroid injection

•Surgical treatment generally last:
F) discectomy, foraminotomy

Question 5

any treatment options suggested for a 20 year old(me) diagnosed at 17 yrs old with an appearing schwannoma in my sciatic nerve. seems to be inoperable?

Accepted Answer

Get Another Opinion: First, get a second opinion. Schwannomas are usually amenable to surgical correction, unless in your case there is an unusual circumstance. Quote: "Microsurgical excision is the treatment of choice. Schwannomas are removeable since they repulse fascicular groups without penetrating them thus allowing their enucleation while preserving nerve continuity." (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.) Don't give up.

Question 6

piriformis syndrome and sciatic nerve treatment, do you have any recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Treatment: Gentle exercises can help a lot with piriformis syndrome pain as can icing the areas near the muscle.  For sciatic nerve pain there are medications like Gabapentin that help some and watch for positions that cause you pain and try to avoid these positions.  Some manipulation from your doctor might help.

Question 7

major sciatic nerve pain seems to have gotten worse over last 4 works since workout without stretching. other than nsaids + stretching, any treatment?

Accepted Answer

Get an exam: If there are neurological findings it can change what might be reasonably tried.     Chiropractors, acupuncture, physical therapy, gabapentin, trigger point work,  and believe it or not emotional work can all help as well as stretches.   I like the ones that stretch the iliopsoas muscles.

Question 8

i have a sciatic nerve injury due to being shot  in the leg. i  have done  much treatment, but my foot is numb. can you recommend a doctor or further treatment?

Accepted Answer

Robert J Spinner: Robert j spinner at the mayo clinic is the national expert in peripheral nerve injury and nerve reconstruction.

Question 9

what are effective treatments for sciatic nerve pain?

Accepted Answer

Ok: First get evaluated to ensure you have the correct diagnosis. There are lots of things thought to be sciatica, that really are not. Without the correct diagnosis, treatments will have a lower chance of being effective. Regarding treatments, your physician will guide you through treatment. It will include nsaids, pt, home exercises, and possibly neuro-diagnostic or neuro-therapeutic injections.

Question 10

what are some therapy that is available for sciatic nerve pain?

Accepted Answer

Options: If the pain is significant then i usually recommend an epidural cortisone injection.  If that does not improve the pain and there is clear pressure on the nerve (MRI) then surgery is usually indicated.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Prednisone treatment of sciatic nerve

A member asked:

Is prednisone an effective treatment for siatic nerve pain?

A member asked:

What is the best treatment for sciatic nerve pain?

A member asked:

How is a dx of piriformis syndrone made? is it merely sciatic nerve irratation that radiates to buttocks. what is the treatment?

A member asked:

Hi there, my gp has advised me that i have a slipped disc in my lower back possibly affecting my sciatic nerve. what treatment is available?

A member asked:

Any treatment options suggested for a 20 year old(me) diagnosed at 17 yrs old with an appearing schwannoma in my sciatic nerve. seems to be inoperable?

A member asked:

Piriformis syndrome and sciatic nerve treatment, do you have any recommendations?

A member asked:

Major sciatic nerve pain seems to have gotten worse over last 4 works since workout without stretching. other than nsaids + stretching, any treatment?

A member asked:

I have a sciatic nerve injury due to being shot in the leg. i have done much treatment, but my foot is numb. can you recommend a doctor or further treatment?

A member asked:

What are effective treatments for sciatic nerve pain?

A member asked:

What are some therapy that is available for sciatic nerve pain?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?