Sciatica Treatment Shots

Lower back pain caused by sciatica fades away on its own for most patients who experience it. If time does not help you, your doctor can offer other forms of treatment, including surgery and shots of medication.

Sciatica

• Sciatica occurs when a herniated disk in your back puts pressure on your sciatic nerve, causing lower back pain that radiates down your buttock and continues down the back of your leg.

Significance

• About one in 50 people will experience a herniated disk at some point. Sciatica usually occurs in adults aged 30 to 50 years.

Shots

• Shots of steroid medication into your back near the herniated disk can reduce the inflammation and pain associated with sciatica. Your doctor can perform the injections.

Complications

• Sciatica treatment shots can cause complications, including decreased bone density and thinning of the skin near the injection site. To reduce your risk, receive a shot only every few months.

Considerations

• Because of the risks associated with shots, your doctor will usually begin your sciatica treatment with over-the-counter pain medication, rest for your back and physical exercise. If these do not help, then shots could be the next step in your treatment.