Overview
About Sciatica Evaluation
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve — from the lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of the leg. It is most commonly caused by a herniated (slipped) disc or a bony spur pressing on a nerve root in the lower spine. Evaluation includes a focused clinical examination with specific nerve tension tests, followed by MRI if symptoms are persistent or severe, to confirm the level and cause of compression. The majority of patients improve with medications, physiotherapy, and nerve-targeted exercises, with injections reserved for cases that do not settle with initial treatment.
Key Benefits
Precise clinical and MRI-based localisation of the compressed nerve level
Conservative treatment resolves most cases within 6 weeks
Targeted nerve-gliding physiotherapy speeds symptom resolution
Epidural or nerve-root injections available for persistent pain
Surgery reserved only for cases that fail comprehensive conservative care
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sciatica feel like?
Sciatica typically feels like a sharp, burning, or electric-shock-like pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down one leg, sometimes reaching the foot, often accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness.
What is the most common cause of sciatica?
A herniated (slipped) lumbar disc pressing on a nerve root is the most common cause, followed by spinal stenosis (narrowing of the nerve canal) and bony spurs from degenerative changes in the spine.
Will sciatica go away on its own?
A large majority of sciatica cases improve within 4–6 weeks with conservative treatment including medications, physiotherapy, and activity modification, as the herniated disc material gradually shrinks and inflammation settles.
When is an injection recommended for sciatica?
An epidural steroid injection is considered when pain remains significant after 2–4 weeks of conservative treatment, providing targeted anti-inflammatory relief directly at the affected nerve root.
When does sciatica need surgery?
Surgery is considered for sciatica that fails to improve after a reasonable trial of conservative treatment (typically 6–8 weeks), or urgently if there is significant or progressive leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control.