Sciatica & Slip Disc Treatment in Mumbai — Pain Clinic of India
- No surgery required for many conditions
- Same-day procedures
- International training & advanced techniques
Our spine consists of the vertebral column through which the spinal cord runs. From the spinal cord various nerves come out and supply sensations to the peripheral parts of the body. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When something injures or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause pain in the lower back that spreads to the hip, buttocks and leg. Up to 90% of people recover from sciatica without surgery. In brief, sciatica refers to back pain caused by a problem with the sciatic nerve.
Symptoms of Sciatica are — lower back pain; many a times pain extends through the hip and buttock and down the leg, usually on one side; pain increases when you sit, cough or sneeze; the leg may also feel numb, weak or tingly at times.
The good news is that pain subsides in 95% of cases with conservative treatments and pain management procedures.
What causes Sciatica?
Herniated Disc
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc (also called slipped disc). Discs act like cushions between the vertebrae of your spine. They act as shock absorbers. Aging makes these discs weaker. They are easy to get damaged by minor injuries. Herniated disc means the central gel leaks out and compresses the sciatic nerve. About 1 in 50 people will get a herniated disc at some point in life.
Spinal Stenosis
Aging, minor repeated injuries over time cause natural wear and tear of the disc and spinal joints, which can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal. This narrowing, called spinal stenosis, may put pressure on the roots of the sciatic nerve. Spinal stenosis is more common in adults over age 60.
Spinal Tumors
In rare cases, sciatica may result from tumours growing inside or along the spinal cord or sciatic nerve. As a tumour grows, it may put pressure on the nerves that branch off from the spinal cord.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis is a muscle found deep inside the buttocks. The sciatic nerve runs between the two heads of the muscle belly. If this muscle goes into spasm, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, triggering symptoms of sciatica. Usually women suffer more from this syndrome. Keeping a fat wallet in the back pocket may also cause piriformis syndrome (FAT WALLET SYNDROME).
Injury or Infection
Other causes of sciatica include muscle inflammation, infection or injury, such as a fracture. In general, any condition that irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve can trigger symptoms. In some cases, no specific cause of sciatica can be found.
Diagnosis of Sciatica
We combine examination and imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT scan etc.) to diagnose sciatica.
Treatment
Ice and Heat
Medication
Commonly used medications (over-the-counter pain relievers) can provide short-term relief from sciatica. Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are options. Muscle relaxants and other adjuvant medications are also useful.
Physiotherapy
Pain Management Injection
At Pain Clinic of India various pain management injections are performed to relieve sciatica pain. Image-guided lumbar epidural injection is very popular and effective in treating sciatica pain. It can resolve symptoms in a few hours to days, and many times 2–3 injections can cure the condition. It is a very effective slip disc treatment option to avoid surgery in most cases.
Surgery
If your sciatica is due to a herniated disc and it's still causing severe pain after four to six weeks, and if pain management injection is not helping, surgery may be an option.
At Pain Clinic of India, we do offer various minimally invasive discectomy procedures for sciatica pain. We offer stitchless minimally invasive endoscopic discectomy under local anaesthesia. This is a day-care treatment and avoids many major complications of major open spine surgery.
Rehabilitation Therapy
Slip Disc Treatment Testimonial
“I was having severe back and leg pain for 1 year. I was not able to walk even a few steps and felt weak legs. On MRI I was told by spine surgeons that my nerves are compressed due to slipped disc. I was advised spine surgery. I have seen very bad results with spine surgery in my friends and relatives, so me and my wife were totally against it. I came across Pain Clinic of India through one of my friends who had a similar problem and got completely cured with simple injections at PCI. When I met Dr. Kothari, he gave me hope that the problem can be solved with injections and physiotherapy. I agreed and went for the injection immediately. The very next day I got injected (epidural injection). I immediately felt a huge difference in my pain and functions — my pain was 90% less. I was put in physiotherapy for 2 weeks. It's almost 4 months now after the treatment, I am completely pain free, except some pain in the back on more exertion. I am thankful to the team of PCI, especially Dr. Kothari, who gave me a new pain-free life.”
Sciatica and slip disc treatment at Pain Clinic of India (clinical detail)
Our specialists, led by Dr. Kailash Kothari, have extensive experience treating sciatica and slip disc using advanced, minimally invasive techniques. The sections above summarise causes, diagnosis, and general treatment; below is how we deliver care at PCI.
Interventional options at PCI
Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
This is often the first-line interventional treatment for sciatica. A targeted injection of anti-inflammatory steroid medication is delivered precisely around the compressed nerve root under fluoroscopic guidance. This reduces inflammation and provides significant pain relief in the majority of patients.
Selective Nerve Root Block
When the specific nerve causing pain needs to be identified and treated, a selective nerve root block provides both diagnostic information and therapeutic relief. This is particularly useful in cases with multiple disc abnormalities on MRI.
Nucleoplasty
For contained disc herniations, nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to reduce disc volume, thereby decreasing pressure on the compressed nerve. The procedure is performed through a small needle and patients typically go home the same day.
Epidural Adhesiolysis
In cases where scar tissue from previous surgeries or chronic inflammation has built up around the nerves, epidural adhesiolysis can break down these adhesions and deliver medication directly to the affected area.
Why Choose Pain Clinic of India?
With Dr. Kailash Kothari's 30+ years of experience in treating sciatica and slip disc, Pain Clinic of India offers unmatched expertise in non-surgical sciatica treatment in Mumbai. Our approach saves patients from unnecessary spine surgery while providing effective, lasting pain relief.
Book Your Consultation
If sciatica or a slip disc is affecting your daily life, don't wait for it to get worse. Call +91-7303142400 to book a consultation with our pain specialists at any of our Mumbai or Goa centers.