The sciatica service at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital offers treatment to people with sciatica. Our multidisciplinary service is delivered by a team of experts including spinal surgeons and specialist orthopaedic physiotherapy practitioners.
The sciatica service offers:
- An appointment to see a physiotherapy practitioner within a month of referral
- Access to an MRI within a week (depending on urgency)
- Direct access to spinal injections
- Fast-track service for microdiscectomy or decompression.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the name given to any sort of pain, 'pins and needles', numbness or weakness felt in the leg that radiates from your lower back.
Self-management in the early stages
In the early stages, sciatica can be very painful; although you may feel like resting in bed or on the sofa, this has been shown to hinder your recovery. The vast majority of episodes of sciatica will settle within a couple of months. It's important that you try to keep active, doing normal day-to-day activities. You may need painkillers from your GP to enable you to do this. Research suggests that keeping mobile will make it more likely that you will recover. Physiotherapy may be helpful too – ask your GP to refer you to a local service or you may be suitable to refer yourself to our team at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
Although rare, if you experience significant weakness in the legs or feet, or you lose control and feeling or bladder and bowel control, you should seek medical attention immediately.
When to access the Sciatica Service
Generally, if your symptoms are persistent and disabling after several weeks, your GP can refer you to the sciatica service. We will discuss your symptoms and what treatment options are best for you.
