What it is
Sciatica is not a condition on its own. It is a symptom of something pressing on or irritating the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, which runs from the lower back through the buttock and down each leg.
The most common cause is a slipped disc. Other causes include spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
Common symptoms
Patients with sciatica frequently report one or more of the following sensations:
When to see a doctor
See a doctor urgently if you have:
- Loss of control over your bladder or bowels
- Numbness around your groin or inner thighs
- Weakness in your legs that is getting worse
- Back pain with fever, or after a serious fall or accident
Otherwise, see a spine specialist if symptoms last more than a few weeks, keep coming back, or stop you from working, sleeping or walking comfortably.
Treatment options
Without surgery
The vast majority of spine conditions begin and resolve with conservative care:
When surgery may help
Surgery is only considered when non-surgical measures do not provide relief:
Surgery is usually considered when pain continues despite several weeks of proper treatment, when leg weakness is getting worse, or when there are urgent warning signs. The most common procedure is a microdiscectomy, which removes the part of the disc pressing on the nerve.
Recovery
Many cases improve within a few weeks without surgery. After a minimally invasive discectomy, many patients are walking within a day and return to desk work within one to two weeks, with a gradual return to physical work over the following weeks.
Recovery varies from person to person. Your doctor will guide you on what is right for you.
Common questions
Should I rest in bed?
A short rest in the first day or two can help, but long bed rest usually slows recovery. Gentle movement is better.
Can sciatica come back?
It can. Staying active, keeping a healthy weight, and good posture while sitting and lifting help reduce the risk.
Consult Dr Vem Krishna Bhargava Reddy regarding your sciatica symptoms
Most spine conditions respond to structured conservative care. If your symptoms are severe, worsening, or not responding to initial remedies, an in-person clinical examination and MRI review will give you clear, reassuring answers.
Consultations are scheduled across Apollo Hospitals (Jubilee Hills) and Vem Speciality Clinics, Madhapur based on schedule and clinical availability.