Nonoperative treatment
- Medication
- NSAIDs (reduce swelling around the nerve) and analgesics (relieve pain)
- Epidural steroid injection-Cortisone
- Powerful anti-inflammatory drug
- Temporary relief of acute pain and swelling for pain that radiates to the hips or down the leg.
- No more than three epidural injections per year.
- Activity modification
- Exercise and physical therapy
- These are special exercises designed to help build endurance, increase your flexibility, and stabilize your spine through strengthening. Your doctor, along with a trained physical therapist, can determine the right program for your needs.
- Massage
- Chiropractic manipulation (unless osteoporosis or disc herniation are present)
Goal
Restore function and relieve pain.
Outcomes
Many people report that non-surgical treatments help relieve symptoms.
Who qualifies for surgery?
- Patients who fail to find relieve of symptoms from non-operative treatments.
- Patients who have poor quality of life as a result of pain or weakness
