What it is
Sciatica describes pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg. It is a symptom pattern rather than a diagnosis in itself, most often caused by a lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis compressing a nerve root.
Symptoms
- Sharp, burning or shooting pain down one leg
- Pain that is often worse than the back pain itself
- Numbness or tingling along the leg or foot
- Pain aggravated by prolonged sitting
Causes
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Piriformis muscle irritation of the sciatic nerve
Diagnosis
A focused history and examination, including straight-leg-raise testing, help localise the source. MRI identifies the underlying structural cause when symptoms persist.
MRI findings
MRI findings depend on the underlying cause and may show disc herniation, canal or foraminal narrowing, or nerve-root compression at one or more lumbar levels.
Non-surgical treatment
- Physiotherapy and targeted stretching
- Short courses of anti-inflammatory medication
- Activity modification
- Selective nerve-root or epidural injections
Considering this for your case?
Send your MRI or CT for a specialist opinion before deciding on treatment.
When surgery may be considered
Surgery is considered when sciatica persists beyond 6–8 weeks despite conservative treatment, when there is significant functional limitation, or when neurological deficits are present or worsening.
Surgical options
- Microdiscectomy
- Endoscopic discectomy
- Decompression surgery for stenosis-related sciatica
Recovery
Leg pain often improves quickly after surgical decompression, with continued improvement in strength and sensation over subsequent weeks; a structured physiotherapy plan supports full recovery.
Risks
- Recurrence of symptoms
- Nerve irritation
- Infection
- Persistent numbness in long-standing cases
Questions to ask your surgeon
- Is surgery necessary now, or can it reasonably wait?
- What non-surgical options are appropriate for my case?
- What are the realistic risks and recovery timeline for me specifically?
Indicative treatment cost
Costs vary by procedure and case complexity. See the spine surgery cost page for indicative planning ranges.
Frequently asked questions
No. Most cases are managed with non-surgical treatment first. Surgery is discussed only when appropriate criteria are met, as outlined above.
A focused history and examination, including straight-leg-raise testing, help localise the source. MRI identifies the underlying structural cause when symptoms persist.
Recent MRI or CT images and reports, a summary of symptoms and duration, and details of any treatment already tried.