How Long Does Sciatica Last

Sciatica is a common condition. Due to this, there is a feeling of pain, tingling, and numbness in the lower back, hips, and legs. This condition occurs when there is pressure or irritation on the sciatic nerve going from the lower back to the legs. Many people suffering from sciatica are worried about how long this problem will last and for what reasons this problem lasts for a long time.

Today in this article we will try to find out these questions -

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How long does the problem of sciatica last?
Factors affecting sciatica
Sciatica pain treatment
- Non-surgical treatment
- Surgical treatment
Takeaway

Doctors for How Long Does Sciatica Last

How long does the problem of sciatica last?

How long the pain of sciatica will last, depends on the condition of each person. Some people feel mild symptoms, which last for a few days or weeks. At the same time, some people feel severe symptoms, which can last for months or years. There are 2 types of sciatica - acute and chronic. The pain of acute sciatica can last for 1 to 2 weeks. Also, after a few weeks, the pain subsides, but the numbness remains for some time.

On the other hand, when acute sciatica takes a chronic form, then in this condition the pain can last for a long time. Chronic sciatica can also last a lifetime.

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Factors affecting sciatica

How long the problem of sciatica will last depends on many factors, which have been explained in detail below -

The severity of pressure or irritation

The pressure on the sciatic nerve or the severity of the irritation in it depends on how long the symptoms of sciatica will last. Light pressure or irritation can be cured quickly, while in severe form this problem can last for a long time.

Age

With increasing age, the amount of water in the spinal cord starts decreasing and the flexibility also decreases. Therefore, the elderly may suffer from sciatica for a longer period than the young.

Physical activity

Staying physically active can help reduce the symptoms and duration of sciatica. On the contrary, due to not being physically active or staying in such a position, due to which there is more pressure on the lower back, the problem of sciatica can last for a long time.

Underline reason

Some underlying causes can also affect the duration of sciatica. For example, sciatica caused by muscle strain or sprain takes less time to heal than sciatica caused by a herniated disc.

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Overall health

Overall health can affect the duration of sciatica. Generally, healthy people, if they have sciatica, can recover quickly.

Sciatica pain treatment

Non-surgical or surgical is chosen for sciatica -

Non-surgical treatment

In most cases, non-surgical treatment is used first -

Pain relievers - Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help reduce the pain associated with sciatica.
Physical therapy - Through this, work is done on strengthening the muscles present in the spine.
Heat and Cold Therapy - Applying heat or cold therapy to the affected area can help reduce pain and swelling.
Epidural steroid injections - injections of corticosteroids directly into the affected area can help reduce inflammation and ease pain.

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Surgical treatment

When the problem of sciatica is not cured through non-surgical treatment, then the surgical procedure is resorted to -

Discectomy - In this, that part of the herniated disc is removed, due to which there is pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Laminectomy - In this, a portion of the vertebral bone is removed to reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Microdiscectomy - This is a less invasive version of discectomy, in which smaller incisions and a microscope are used to remove the herniated disc.

It is important to note that surgery is not always done to treat sciatica. When there is no effect from non-surgical treatment, only then the option of surgery is chosen.

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Takeaway

Sciatica can prove to be a painful condition for some people, but with the right treatment, most people can make a full recovery within a few weeks. Factors affecting the duration of sciatica include age, physical activity, etc. At the same time, the non-surgical option is chosen first as a treatment. Surgery is done only if there is no improvement from this. Therefore, if someone is troubled by the problem of sciatica, then he should immediately get a checkup done by the doctor and should also do exercise and yoga.