Sciatica describes pain that radiates down the leg, often associated with other symptoms such as weakness, numbness and tingling.
Disc herniations that cause inflammation and/or compression of the sciatic nerve roots are the most common cause of sciatica.
(Patients should be referred to emergency care for bladder/bowel dysfunction, suggestive of Cauda Equina syndrome).
The vast majority of patients improve over time with conservative treatment, such as: sharing information about sciatica, acknowledging patient concerns, encouraging them to stay active, exercise, and pain management).
The benefits of pain medications are uncertain and may have adverse effects.
Surgery may provide faster relief in the short term, but at 1 year results are similar to conservative treatment.
If you are dealing with sciatica now and (reasonably) feel functionally limited in your daily life, remember that no activity is ‘off limits’ forever: although it may take some time, the aim of rehabilitation is to help you return to activities that you love!
