What causes sciatica?

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It is the pain of an irritated or compressed nerve root in the lower spine, most often from a herniated disc, disc degeneration, spinal stenosis or an enlarged facet joint. Your MRI tells us which.

How is the treatment given?

As image-guided injections at the spinal level irritating the nerve, sometimes combined with intravenous delivery, in a single visit to our licensed clinic in San José.

Is this an alternative to surgery?

For some patients it may delay or avoid surgery. Where there is progressive weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control, surgery is urgent and this treatment is not appropriate. Our physicians tell you which applies to you.

When might I notice a change?

Responses vary with the cause and how long the nerve has been irritated. Some patients report changes within weeks; others over several months.

Who is not a candidate?

Progressive weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, active infection, certain cancers, and some other conditions rule treatment out. Your medical review determines candidacy, not this page.

Sciatica Stem Cell Treatment in Costa Rica

How stem cell therapy may help with sciatica

Sciatica is what you feel when tissue in the lower spine presses on or irritates a nerve root: a herniated disc, a thinning disc, a narrowed canal, an enlarged joint. The pain runs the length of the nerve, into the buttock, leg and foot. Rest, medication and injections calm it for a time. They do not address the inflammation at the nerve.

Mesenchymal stem cells are studied for their ability to reduce inflammation around the affected nerve root.
Research examines how cell signalling may affect inflammation and the tissue environment. Evidence and clinical outcomes vary by application.
Treatment is delivered to the affected spinal level under imaging guidance.
Cells are prepared in our own laboratory and used fresh, never frozen.
The protocol is written for your spine, your imaging and your goals.

Concerns to discuss with your care team

Radiating leg pain

From the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg, worse with sitting or standing for long.

Numbness and tingling

Pins and needles, burning or a dull patch in the leg, calf, foot or toes.

Weakness

A leg or foot that tires or gives way on stairs, or a balance that is not what it was.

Back pain with nerve symptoms

Both at once, and the difficulty of a day built around them.

Who may be a candidate

Adults with persistent sciatica linked to disc injury, disc degeneration, stenosis or facet joint changes confirmed by MRI, who have not found lasting relief from physical therapy, medication or injections, may be evaluated. Candidacy is decided by our physicians after a medical review of your history and imaging, never by a form.

Treatment is not offered where there is progressive neurological weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, active infection, certain cancers, or other conditions identified in review. Those first two are surgical emergencies and should be seen without delay.

What to expect

1. Evaluation

A call with a patient advisor, then a medical review of your records and spinal MRI.

2. Treatment plan

Protocol, schedule and the full investment, written for your case and discussed with you before you travel.

3. Treatment in San José

Travel and stay arranged for you. Treatment by our physicians in our Ministry of Health–licensed clinic.

4. Follow-up care

Scheduled check-ins with our team after you return home.

Investment

Each plan is built for one patient. In your consultation we walk through the full investment and exactly what it includes: cells, clinical care, and the arrangements around your stay.

The Cellebration approach

Fresh, never frozen. Ask how cells are prepared and evaluated for your proposed care.
Physician-led. Clinical decisions by our medical team, in a licensed clinic.
An informed discussion. Review the evidence, limitations and alternatives relevant to your condition.
Personalized support. A care team helps coordinate the treatment journey.

Sciatica