Sciatica

Depending on the cause of your sciatica, you might experience:

• lower back pain

• leg pain that might feel worse than back pain

• a feeling like bad leg cramp

• pain that is sharp, zinging or ‘electrical’

• pain that gets worse when you move, sneeze, or cough

• a change in sensation or weakness in your leg or foot

• pins and needles

• numbness

• burning or shooting feelings

• heat or coldness

• muscle spasms in your back

• changes in bladder or bowel control

There are many different causes of sciatica, and you may have more than one at the same time. 

Conditions that can affect the sciatic nerve, include:

• spinal disc issues, such as a slipped disc (herniation) or degenerative disc disease, alter the disc structure, causing it to press on 1 or more of the 5 nerves that make up the sciatic nerve

• spinal stenosis – when the area of the lower spine that houses the nerves is narrowed, putting pressure on them

• spondylolisthesis – when one of the bones in your spine slips out of position

• osteoarthritis – when worn down and damaged discs and cartilage between vertebrae affect the nerve

• back injuries – for example, from accidents or sports

• pregnancy – having to carry additional weight, hormones that soften your ligaments and may affect joint stability, plus the baby’s position can put pressure on the sciatic nerve

• tumours, cysts or other growths can push against the nerve

• cauda equina syndrome – a rare, emergency condition that affects the nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord

Diagnosing your sciatica usually involves an initial consultation where our pain specialist will:  

1. Take a history to get a full understanding of your pain and how it affects you – for example, how severe it is, where it is, what makes it worse or better, and how it affects daily life. They’ll want as much detail from you as possible, as this can help narrow down the cause.

2. Do a physical examination of the painful area, and check your range of movement and strength.

3. Review any relevant scans and other previous investigations.

4. Talk through their initial findings and what will happen next.

They may also:

• recommend further imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan or X-ray

• recommend nerve studies such as electromyography (EMG), to measure nerve impulses and muscle response

If your sciatica is caused by health conditions, you may not be able to reduce your risk. But there are some lifestyle tips that can help reduce your lower your chance of developing sciatica. These include:

• keeping an eye on your posture – stand up straight with shoulders gently back, avoiding slouching

• stopping smoking if you smoke – smoking increases your risk of arthritis

•  managing your weight if you are obese – extra weight puts more pressure on your joints

• sitting correctly when at a work desk – do any health and safety checks of your workstation and follow their advice

•  lifting any heavy objects using a safe technique

• staying active –  regular movement helps keep your spine healthy, and a strong core offers support to your spine

• staying safe when you’re physically active – stretch before and after exercise and sports,  wear protective gear, stop if you feel any pain

Complications are most likely to come if you don’t get your sciatica and its underlying cause diagnosed and treated. These might include worsening of the pain, or making the damage worse.

Your consultant will talk you through any potential complications of treatments you may need to manage the pain, such as medications or surgery.

Once your sciatica has been diagnosed, and your consultant is clear about the possible cause or causes, they’ll recommend the most appropriate next steps and will arrange treatment to ensure you make the best possible recovery. 

Treatment options for sciatica include:

• medications such as pain relief, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories

• physiotherapy

• injections to relieve pain and inflammation

• decompression surgery to remove portions of a vertebra or herniated disk to relieve pressure on the nerve

Our consultants have access to multidisciplinary teams who can be brought in to support your personalised pain management plan. 

At Welbeck, our pain medicine specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.