Sciatica
Pain travelling from the lower back down the leg along the sciatic nerve.
About this condition
Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, usually where it leaves the lower spine. It travels from the back or buttock down the back of the leg and sometimes into the foot, often with numbness, tingling or weakness. Common causes are a bulging disc, spinal narrowing or degenerative change in the lower spine.
Most episodes improve within weeks with movement and pain relief. A minority continue for months and become a long term nerve pain problem, which is much harder to shift. Assessment looks at how long the pain has lasted, what imaging shows if any was done, and whether surgical or injection treatment has been considered.
Treatments people usually try first
These are the treatments commonly offered in the UK for this condition. A specialist doctor will want to know which of them you have tried, and what happened.
- Anti inflammatory medicines and paracetamol in the early phase
- Physiotherapy and structured movement rather than bed rest
- Nerve pain medicines such as amitriptyline or duloxetine
- Epidural or nerve root steroid injections
- Surgical decompression or discectomy in selected cases
- Referral to a specialist pain clinic for persistent pain
Could medical cannabis be appropriate?
People with this condition sometimes ask whether medical cannabis could be appropriate for them. That is a question for a specialist doctor, who will look at your diagnosis, your history and everything you have already tried before saying anything either way.
Medical cannabis is an unlicensed prescription only medicine in the UK. It is considered only where a diagnosed condition has not responded adequately to conventional treatment, and it is never a first step. We cannot tell you in advance what might be prescribed, and UK law does not allow us to describe or advertise any medicine on this website.
What we can do is assess you properly and be honest with you. If a specialist doctor does not think this route is right for you, they will say so, and they will explain why.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Questions about sciatica
Chronic pain
Other conditions in this category
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