Managing Psoriatic Arthritis Foot Pain
Arthritis comes in many forms, and each has its own challenges. With psoriatic arthritis, foot pain can seem unmanageable. Here are some ways to help control your symptoms.
Is Your Leg Pain Sciatica or Something Else?
Leg pain can be debilitating, especially if you work an active job or play sports. Suddenly, you’re stretched out on the couch, groaning with pain. What should you do? The first step is to get an accurate diagnosis so you can receive the best treatment possible.
At CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center, with multiple locations in Maryland and Delaware, our specialists can isolate and identify the source of your leg pain. Since an incorrect diagnosis can mean incorrect treatment, this step is crucial.
However, many instances of leg pain have similar symptoms, even if the actual cause is different. That’s why you need a team of specialists who can tell the difference between sciatica and something else, like sacroiliac joint syndrome, also known as sacroiliitis.
Two common causes of leg pain
Pain that starts at the hips and travels downward can be caused by several conditions, with two of the most common being sciatica and sacroiliitis.
Sciatica
Sciatica originates in the spine. Either a disc herniates, bone spurs develop, or a tumor grows. In any case, pressure increases on the nerves near the issue. The affected nerve sends pain sensations down one or both legs.
Sacroiliitis
Sacroiliac joint syndrome originates at one or both points where the spine meets the pelvis — the sacroiliac joints. The joint gets inflamed, and pain spreads from your lower back into your hip, buttock, and thigh on one or both sides.
Sciatica vs. sacroiliitis
There are many similarities between these two conditions, and several key differences.
Similarities
Sciatica and sacroiliitis can cause pain that radiates from the back and hip through the buttocks and down through the thighs. Pain typically worsens with activity and improves with rest.
Treatment for both includes over-the-counter or prescription medications and physical therapy in mild to moderate cases.
Differences
Sciatic pain often goes away after a few weeks, especially if it’s caused by a herniated disc that heals.
However, in some cases, sciatica may present with more worrying symptoms, such as loss of bladder or bowel control. That usually indicates a more severe back injury, and you may require back surgery.
Sacroiliac pain won’t go away on its own, since the cause is inflammation around a permanently damaged joint. We don’t typically recommend surgery for sacroiliitis.
Instead, your doctor may recommend a treatment plan that includes electrical nerve stimulation or sacroiliac joint injections for pain management.
Is leg pain making you miserable? Call us today to schedule your visit to CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center, or request an appointment online.
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