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More Sciatica Information

Sciatica


When Should I Consider Surgery For Sciatica?

Surgery for sciatica is usually reserved for situations when the compressed nerve causes significant muscle weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or severe pain that gets progressively worse. It is generally reasonable to consider sciatica surgery if your symptoms haven’t improved after 2 to 3 months of conservative, non-surgical treatments.

What Are the Available Sciatica Surgery Options?

The main purpose of sciatica surgery is to decompress the nerve. Sciatic nerve decompression can be achieved with an open procedure or a minimally invasive (endoscopic) procedure. An open sciatica decompression procedure requires that the surgeon cut open the skin with a large incision to gain access to the compressed nerve. Open procedures are invasive and, depending on the procedure, may require up to a year of recovery. However, with a minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon needs only a tiny incision to decompress the troubled nerve.

Sciatic nerve operation success rates for both types of procedure are about equal. But minimally invasive procedures are associated with less pain and faster recovery than open procedures.

Because sciatica can be caused by many different conditions, the sciatica surgery that would bring relief to you may be different than what would help another patient. See our surgery section for a more detailed look at endoscopic sciatica surgery procedures that may help bring you relief.

Are You a Candidate for Sciatica Surgery?

If non surgical sciatica treatment fails to reduce your pain and other symptoms, you may be a surgical candidate. Our simple 3 step candidacy checking tool can get you started on a path to recovery in just minutes.

Begin 3 Step Diagnosis Process

Need assistance, or for answers to any questions you have please contact us now or call (877) 272-4535.