Health

Conditions | Sciatica

"Sciatica" can be a confusing term. While it is a relatively common medical term used for nerve irritation within the low back, sciatic pain is not always from the sciatic nerve per se. So-called sciatica stems from the back and radiates down the leg, often with associated numbness, tingling, and weakness.

Learn More About Sciatica

Need to know more about how sciatica will affect you or someone you care for? Learn all the basics here:

     » Introduction to Sciatica
     » Sciatica Anatomy
     » Sciatica Diagnosis
     » Sciatica Treatment Pathway

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Prognosis

by Erin Maslowski, MD and Venu Akuthota, MD

The vast majority of sciatica episodes are short lived with only 1.6% lasting longer than 2 weeks. The majority of disc herniations diminish in size over time. Larger herniations tend to regress more than smaller herniations.

The rates of recurrence are comparable between patients treated with surgery and patients treated non-operatively. Patients with a history of sciatica due to disc herniation should be encouraged to commit to a regular, long-term home exercise program of core muscles strengthening and improved biomechanics in an effort to prevent further cases of acute sciatica.

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