Sciatica

If you’re suffering from pain that shoots down your leg, it might not be “just back pain”—it could be sciatica. At Gemini Spine, our dual-specialist team pinpoints the source of your pain and delivers precise, minimally invasive solutions to restore comfort and function—often with same-day recovery.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is nerve pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in your body. It typically results from a spine issue in the lower back (lumbar spine)—not in the legs themselves.

Symptoms of Sciatica

• Sharp, shooting pain in the lower back, buttocks, or leg

• Pain that travels down the back of the thigh or into the calf

• Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot

• Muscle weakness

• Worsening pain when sitting, coughing, or lifting

Sciatica usually affects one side of the body and can range from mildly uncomfortable to severely disabling.

Common Causes of Sciatica

• Herniated or bulging disk pressing on a nerve root

• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)

• Degenerative disk disease

• Bone spurs or arthritis

• Previous spinal surgery with residual scar tissue

• Spinal misalignment or instability

How We Diagnose Sciatica

Our team of specialists—including a Spinal Neurosurgeon and an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon—collaborate to provide:

• Comprehensive physical exam and symptom review

• Advanced imaging (MRI, CT, or X-ray)

• Nerve conduction studies (when needed)

• A precise diagnosis with a plan tailored to your body and goals

Sciatica Treatment Options at Gemini Spine

We believe in starting with the most conservative approach and escalating only when necessary.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Options (when conservative care fails):

• Microdiscectomy: Removal of the portion of disk pressing on the nerve

• Laminectomy: Removal of bone to relieve nerve pressure

• Foraminotomy: Widening the nerve passage

• Minimally invasive decompression techniques, often performed on an outpatient basis

Why Choose Gemini Spine for Sciatica?

At Gemini Spine, most patients return home the same day, with smaller incisions, faster recovery, and less postoperative pain.

✅ Collaborative care from both neurosurgical and orthopedic perspectives
✅ Latest imaging and surgical navigation systems
✅ Conservative-first approach
✅ Minimally invasive surgical options
✅ Transparent out-of-pocket pricing and support for out-of-network insurance claims

You don’t have to live with shooting leg pain, sleepless nights, or missed activities. Let our experts help you take your life back.