Back Pain and Sciatica Management

Dr. Idema specializes in the intricate issues of the spine, offering advanced non-surgical and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive spine surgery and artificial disc replacement. Together with Dr. Pressman, our center provides a full spectrum of orthopedic care, ensuring that all contributing factors to your back pain and sciatica are expertly addressed.

Why Choose Steel City Spine for Your Back Pain and Sciatica?

• Specialized Spine Expertise:
  • Dr. Jocelyn Idema, DO: A fellowship-trained and board-certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon. Dr. Idema is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating complex spinal disorders, offering cutting-edge minimally invasive surgical techniques, artificial disc replacement, and traditional spine surgeries when necessary.
  • Dr. Ari Pressman, MD: A board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon who manages musculoskeletal conditions that can contribute to back pain, working collaboratively with Dr. Idema for comprehensive spine care.
• Comprehensive Diagnostic Approach: We utilize thorough physical examinations, patient history, and advanced imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT scans) to accurately pinpoint the source of your back pain or sciatica.
• Full Spectrum of Treatment Options: From conservative, non-operative care and targeted injections to the latest minimally invasive surgical procedures, we tailor treatment to your specific condition and needs.
• Focus on Non-Surgical Solutions First: We prioritize the most conservative, effective treatments to alleviate pain and improve function, with surgery considered only when necessary.
• Patient-Centered Care: We believe in empowering patients through education, discussing all available treatment options, and developing a collaborative plan to achieve your health goals.
• Convenient Locations: Providing expert back pain and sciatica management across Western Pennsylvania (Washington, Pittsburgh, Uniontown, Monongahela) and serving the Morgantown, WV, region.

Understanding Back Pain and Sciatica

Back pain is a broad term referring to discomfort in any region of the back. It can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain.

Sciatica is a specific type of pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica is often characterized by:

• Pain (sharp, burning, or shooting) on one side of the buttock or leg
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected leg or foot
• Pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, or sneezing

Common Causes of Back Pain and Sciatica We Treat:

Our specialists are experienced in managing a wide variety of conditions, including:

• Herniated or Bulging Discs: When the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes out, potentially pressing on nerves.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: The natural wear and tear of spinal discs over time.
• Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
• Spondylolisthesis: When one vertebra slips forward over the one below it.
• Facet Joint Arthritis/Syndrome: Inflammation or degeneration of the small joints between your vertebrae.
• Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction: Pain originating from the SI joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis.
• Muscle Strains and Ligament Sprains: Common causes of acute back pain.
• Vertebral Compression Fractures: Often related to osteoporosis.
• Pinched Nerves (Radiculopathy): Nerve compression leading to pain, numbness, or weakness.
• Scoliosis and other Spinal Deformities (Adult)

Our Comprehensive Approach to Back Pain and Sciatica Management:

1. Accurate Diagnosis: The cornerstone of effective treatment. This involves a detailed medical history, a thorough physical and neurological examination, and may include advanced imaging studies like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to identify the exact cause of your pain.
2. Personalized Non-Surgical Treatment Plan: We emphasize conservative care as the first line of treatment. This may include:
   • Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote proper posture.
   • Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or nerve pain medications.
   • Activity Modification: Guidance on avoiding activities that aggravate your pain and learning safer ways to perform daily tasks.
   • Therapeutic Injections:
     • Epidural Steroid Injections: To reduce inflammation around nerve roots.
     • Facet Joint Injections: To diagnose and treat pain from facet joints.
     • Nerve Root Blocks: To target specific nerves causing pain.
     • SI Joint Injections: For sacroiliac joint pain.
   • Bracing (in select cases)
3. Advanced Surgical Interventions (When Necessary): If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, or if there is evidence of significant nerve compression or spinal instability, Dr. Idema may recommend surgery. She specializes in a range of techniques, including:
   • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Utilizing smaller incisions, specialized instruments, and advanced imaging to reduce tissue damage, pain, and recovery time. Procedures include:
     • Microdiscectomy: Removal of the portion of a herniated disc pressing on a nerve.
     • Laminectomy/Laminotomy: Removal of a portion of the vertebral bone (lamina) to relieve pressure on nerves (decompress spinal stenosis).
   • Spinal Fusion: To stabilize a painful or unstable segment of the spine by fusing two or more vertebrae together. Dr. Idema performs various fusion techniques, including lumbar interbody fusion.
   • Artificial Disc Replacement: An alternative to fusion for some patients, preserving motion in the affected spinal segment.
   • Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty: Minimally invasive procedures to treat painful vertebral compression fractures.
4. Post-Treatment Rehabilitation: Whether you undergo non-surgical or surgical treatment, rehabilitation and physical therapy play a vital role in your recovery, helping to restore function, improve strength, and prevent future recurrences.

Don’t Let Back Pain or Sciatica Control Your Life

If you are struggling with persistent back pain or sciatica, expert help is available. The dedicated team at Steel City Spine and Orthopedic Center is committed to providing you with an accurate diagnosis and the most effective, individualized treatment plan to help you return to an active and pain-free life.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our spine and orthopedic specialists at one of our convenient locations.

Steel City Spine and Orthopedic Center: Your Trusted Experts for Back Pain and Sciatica Relief in Western Pennsylvania and the Morgantown, West Virginia, Area.