Kentuckiana Pain Specialists

Find Lasting Relief From Sciatica: Your Specialist Pain Doctor

Living with the shooting pain, numbness, or weakness of sciatica can be debilitating. At Kentuckiana Pain Specialists, our board-certified physicians use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat the root cause of sciatica for lasting relief.

Understanding Sciatica and the Sciatic Nerve

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a form of nerve pain that runs along the course of the sciatic nerve — the longest and thickest nerve in the body. It is typically unilateral, affecting only one side of the body.

The Sciatic Nerve Pathway

The sciatic nerve derives from nerve roots L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3. It runs through the gluteal region and down the leg, splitting below the knee into the tibial and common peroneal nerves.

Most Common Causes

Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated disc in the lumbar spine pressing on the sciatic nerve. Other causes include spinal stenosis, bone spurs, and piriformis syndrome.

Are You Experiencing These Sciatica Symptoms?

Sciatic nerve pain typically radiates from the lower back down one leg. These are the most common symptoms that suggest sciatic nerve involvement.

Sharp Shooting Pain

Pain that radiates from the lower back down through the buttock and leg, often described as sharp, electric, or burning in quality, making it difficult to sit or stand comfortably.

Numbness and Tingling

A persistent pins-and-needles sensation or numbness in the leg or foot, indicating irritation of the sciatic nerve roots in the lumbar spine.

Leg Weakness

Difficulty moving the affected leg or weakness when walking, which may indicate more significant nerve involvement requiring prompt evaluation by a pain specialist.

One-Sided Body Pain

Constant pain on one side of the lower body through the buttock and leg is a hallmark characteristic of sciatic nerve irritation.

Pain With Movement

Symptoms that worsen with sitting, standing, walking, or changing positions suggest active nerve involvement that may benefit from interventional treatment.

Bowel or Bladder Changes

If sciatica is accompanied by loss of bowel or bladder control, seek immediate medical attention. This is a medical emergency requiring urgent evaluation.

Our Advanced Sciatica Treatment Options

We focus on non-surgical, interventional pain management to treat sciatica at its source — reducing pain, improving function, and helping you return to daily activities.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to the inflamed nerve root, reducing swelling and providing targeted pain relief that oral medications cannot match in precision.

Radiofrequency Ablation

A minimally invasive procedure using controlled heat to interrupt pain signals from affected nerves, providing longer-lasting relief for appropriate candidates.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

An implantable device that sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord to mask persistent pain signals before they reach the brain — effective for chronic, treatment-resistant sciatica.

Ready to get relief from sciatica?

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ajith Nair at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists. Our team will diagnose the root cause of your sciatica and recommend the most effective treatment approach for lasting relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica

Common questions patients ask when seeking treatment for sciatic nerve pain.

Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated or slipped disc in the lumbar spine that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Other causes include spinal stenosis and bone spurs.
By treating the underlying cause — such as a herniated disc — we can often provide long-term or permanent relief from sciatic nerve pain. The appropriate treatment depends on the specific cause.
It is best to avoid heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, and high-impact exercises until you have been evaluated by a doctor and an appropriate treatment plan is in place.
See a pain specialist if your pain is severe and not improving after a week, is getting progressively worse, causes significant weakness or numbness, or if you experience any changes in bowel or bladder function.
No. The majority of sciatica cases are successfully managed with non-surgical, interventional treatments including injections, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation when appropriate.

Schedule an Appointment

Kentuckiana Pain Specialists

If you or a loved one is experiencing cancer-related pain, schedule a consultation with Kentuckiana Pain Specialists to discuss advanced pain management options. Call (502) 995-4004 today.