Herniated Disc & Sciatica Treatment in Oklahoma City
Sharp, shooting pain from your low back into your leg. Numbness or tingling in your foot. Difficulty standing or walking for long. These are classic signs of sciatica, often caused by a herniated disc pressing on a nerve. Dr. Jeffrey A. Moore offers both non-surgical and surgical options to treat herniated discs and leg pain in Oklahoma City.
- Low back & leg pain
- Herniated lumbar discs
- Sciatica & nerve pain
- Numbness & tingling
- Weakness in the leg or foot
Many patients improve without surgery. Dr. Moore helps you understand which treatments make sense for your specific disc problem.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
Between each vertebra in your spine is a soft disc that acts like a cushion. A herniated disc happens when the inner portion of the disc pushes out through a weak spot in the outer wall. If that disc material presses on a nearby nerve, it can cause:
- Sharp, shooting pain from the low back down the leg.
- Numbness or tingling in the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot.
- Weakness when lifting the foot or standing on your toes.
- Worsening pain when sitting, bending, or coughing.
In the neck, a herniated disc can cause pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Non-Surgical Treatment for Herniated Discs & Sciatica
Many herniated discs improve over time without surgery. Dr. Moore often begins with a combination of:
- Activity modification and short-term rest from painful movements.
- Targeted physical therapy to improve core strength, flexibility, and posture.
- Medications when appropriate, to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Epidural steroid injections or nerve root blocks to decrease inflammation around the irritated nerve and confirm the exact level causing your symptoms.
If your pain improves and you can return to daily activities with non-surgical care, surgery may not be necessary. However, persistent pain or progressive weakness may lead to a discussion about surgical options.
Surgical Options for Herniated Discs & Sciatica
When non-surgical treatments are not enough, or when weakness and nerve symptoms are getting worse, surgery may be a good option. The goal of surgery is to remove the disc material that is pressing on the nerve while preserving as much normal structure as possible.
A small incision in the low back is used to remove the herniated portion of the disc pressing on the nerve. The rest of the disc is left in place to continue cushioning the spine.
Uses a tiny camera and specialized instruments through a “keyhole” incision to remove disc fragments with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues.
For herniated discs in the neck, procedures such as ACDF or cervical disc replacement can relieve arm pain, numbness, and weakness when conservative care is not enough.
In cases of instability or advanced degeneration, nerve decompression may be combined with fusion to provide better long-term stability and alignment.
Whenever appropriate, Dr. Moore uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to access the spine, aiming for less muscle trauma and a smoother recovery.
Advanced imaging and navigation tools may be used to guide the procedure with a high level of precision, especially in more complex cases.
When Should I See a Spine Surgeon for Sciatica?
You should seek prompt evaluation if you have:
- Leg pain that has lasted more than a few weeks and isn’t improving.
- Progressive weakness in the leg or foot.
- Difficulty standing, walking, or performing daily activities.
- Loss of control of bowel or bladder (this is an emergency).
Even if you’re not sure surgery is right for you, a consultation with Dr. Moore can help clarify what’s causing your symptoms and which treatments are most likely to help.
Ready to Talk About Herniated Disc & Sciatica Relief?
If leg pain, numbness, or weakness is limiting your life, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Dr. Moore can help you understand what’s going on and what can be done about it.
- Thorough evaluation of low back and leg symptoms.
- Review of imaging and prior treatments when available.
- Clear explanation of both non-surgical and surgical options.