Sciatica
Pain radiating down the leg from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.
Last revised
Key takeaways
- Typical pattern: pain below the knee, often with tingling or numbness
- Most cases: improve over weeks to months without surgery
- Most useful single change: Keep moving within tolerance rather than resting.
- Commonest mistake: Prolonged bed rest.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
Why it matters
Most cases improve without surgery, and the important skill is recognising the small number that need urgent action.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Typical pattern | pain below the knee, often with tingling or numbness |
| Most cases | improve over weeks to months without surgery |
| Imaging | only if it would change management |
| Neuropathic pain medicines | generally not recommended for sciatica |
What helps
- Keep moving within tolerance rather than resting
- Ask about a structured exercise programme or physiotherapy
- Use simple analgesia to enable movement
- Expect gradual improvement over weeks
What to avoid
- Prolonged bed rest
- Assuming a scan is needed to start treatment
- Ignoring progressive weakness in the leg
Where to go next
- Sciatica: What to Do, in Order
- Myths About Sciatica, Checked Against the Guidance
- Neck Pain: What the Evidence Actually Says
- Workstation Setup: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
When to get help
Seek emergency care for numbness around the genitals or back passage, difficulty passing or controlling urine, loss of bowel control, or weakness in both legs. Seek urgent assessment for progressive weakness in one leg, a foot that drags, or sciatica with fever or unexplained weight loss.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.