Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition which is categorised by the irritation or compression of the nerve(s) making up the big sciatic nerve. Symptoms of sciatica mainly consist of shooting or burning pain often described as an electric shock radiating from your back and bottom to your leg, foot and toes. These areas may also feel numb, pins and needles, or weak.

Sciatica is most commonly caused by a slipped disc in the spine, however, other common causes include back injury, degeneration, Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) or Spondylolisthesis – where a bone in the spine slips out of position or back injury

Management of Sciatica

Our individualised holistic approach:
Full history and assessment
Appropriate investigations
Education about sciatica pain so you can take steps to manage the condition
Occupational and lifestyle advice
Medication review and optimisation
Physiotherapy and exercises enabled by the window of pain relief from medications and interventions
Psychology based treatments

Pain interventions:
Epidural transforaminal, lumbar or caudal
Dorsal Root Ganglion Block and Pulsed Radiofrequency
Nerve root block

If you have any of the following Red flags symptoms, it may signify a serious back problem and require urgent medical attention.
Sciatica in both legs
Numbness between thighs and genital region (saddle anesthesia)
Sudden weakness in the legs
Lose the ability to control your bladder or bowels
History of cancer
New onset pain at the age <16 or >50
Generally feeling unwell with weight loss, fevers, night sweats
Night time pain
Thoracic pain
Reduced level of immunity

Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department if you are experiencing numbness or a pins and needles sensation between your thighs and genital region, sudden weakness in the legs, or lose the ability to control your bladder or bowels, as this could be a sign of a more serious and urgent back problem.