Expert Care by Dr. Michael Erdman | IROSM | Serving Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, and All of South Florida
Sciatica is a common but often misunderstood condition that can cause sharp, radiating pain from the lower back down through the leg. At the Institute for Regenerative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (IROSM), Dr. Michael Erdman provides personalized, evidence-based care for sciatica to patients in Fort Lauderdale, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Hialeah. If you’re experiencing nerve pain, numbness, or tingling in the legs, we can help you find lasting relief.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. This nerve runs from the lower spine through the buttocks and down the back of each leg. Sciatica is not a condition itself, but a symptom of an underlying problem.
Common Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica is most commonly caused by:
- Herniated or bulging lumbar discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Lumbar spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage)
- Piriformis syndrome
- Facet joint inflammation
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
- Trauma, lifting injuries, or poor posture
Dr. Erdman performs a comprehensive physical exam, review of imaging, and nerve assessments to identify the true cause of your sciatic pain and guide appropriate treatment.
Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica can present in one or both legs and may include:
- Sharp, shooting pain from the lower back or buttock down the leg
- Tingling or “pins and needles” in the leg or foot
- Numbness or weakness in the affected leg
- Worsening with sitting, coughing, or bending
Sciatica Treatment Options at IROSM
At IROSM, we use a non-surgical, multi-modal approach to relieve sciatic nerve pain and restore function. Your treatment plan is tailored to your diagnosis, severity, and goals.
1. Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Customized exercises and manual therapy can reduce nerve pressure, strengthen core muscles, and improve spinal alignment:
- McKenzie method and nerve gliding exercises
- Core strengthening and lumbar stabilization
- Postural correction and ergonomic coaching
- Soft tissue mobilization and piriformis stretching
2. Medication Management
When appropriate, short-term medications may help break the pain-inflammation cycle:
- NSAIDs (anti-inflammatories)
- Neuropathic medications (gabapentin, pregabalin)
- Muscle relaxants for associated spasms
- Oral steroids (when inflammation is acute)
At IROSM, we avoid long-term opioid use and prioritize safe, evidence-based relief strategies.
3. Image-Guided Injections
If symptoms persist or are severe, Dr. Erdman offers precise, minimally invasive injections under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance:
- Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections (TFESI)
- Selective Nerve Root Blocks
- SI Joint Injections
- Piriformis Injections
These targeted procedures can reduce inflammation and calm irritated nerves, improving mobility and function without surgery.
Risks and Benefits of Sciatica Treatment
At IROSM, patient education is central to care. We help you understand the options, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Benefits of Treatment:
- Significant reduction in pain and numbness
- Improved leg strength and mobility
- Targeted relief without general anesthesia or surgery
- Faster return to daily activities
- Avoidance of long-term medications
Potential Risks (depending on treatment):
- Temporary soreness at injection site
- Rare risk of bleeding, infection, or nerve irritation
- Medication side effects (drowsiness, stomach upset)
- Incomplete relief in some complex cases
Dr. Michael Erdman carefully evaluates each patient to ensure the safest, most effective plan of care.
Why Choose IROSM and Dr. Michael Erdman for Sciatica Treatment?
Patients across Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Broward, and Miami-Dade choose Dr. Erdman and IROSM for:
- Advanced, image-guided procedures
- Personalized, non-surgical treatment plans
- A focus on function, not just symptom relief
- Regenerative medicine options (including PRP when appropriate)
- Compassionate, expert care in a boutique setting
Get Relief From Sciatica — Book Your Visit Today
Don’t let sciatic nerve pain take over your life. Trust IROSM and Dr. Michael Erdman to help you regain comfort and control.
Meet Dr. Michael Erdman
Interventional Pain Management Physician
Dr. Michael Erdman, a fellowship-trained interventional pain specialist, provides advanced, non-surgical treatments for acute and chronic pain in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding areas.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Erdman offers personalized care for conditions like back and neck pain, sciatica, arthritis, and post-surgical discomfort. Treatments include image-guided injections, radiofrequency ablation, and regenerative therapies like PRP and stem cells performed in-office with precision and care.
Now accepting patients across Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
