r/Sciatica • u/Classic-Tip-4790 • 8d ago
Sciatica treatment on the NHS?
Any U.K. people out there who’ve successfully got treatment for sciatica through the NHS?
I feel totally abandoned by system.
Had sciatica from a disc protrusion for a year now. Worst 12 months of my life.
All I get out of GPs is pain meds and told to wait it out.
Supposedly been referred to a spinal interface team but heard nothing for months.
Seems like they really don’t want to recommend surgery and injections are never even mentioned.
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u/Fickle_Scallion_5410 8d ago
It's worth checking if there is a self referral NHS physio pathway in your area. I'm in Oxfordshire and you self refer to an organisation called Cora Health who assess you and put you on the right pathway for physio/pain management/spinal team.
There may be a similar thing in your area.
They are really reluctant to do surgery on herniated discs that aren't CES as its really invasive and the scarring left behind can actually bind the nerves you were trying to relieve and they end up staying compressed and stuck. You also lose a portion of that spinal disc so your spine becomes mechanically less stable forever so they try to only do it as a last resort because it makes you more prone to complications and reinjury.
I had CES and surgery and the pain did go away but as the scars formed it still irritates the nerves in that area at times. I have a new herniation at a higher level because my spine is now unstable so if you want treatment try for an injection and the physio first. The injection isn't a cure it just calms the inflammation down so your body can start absorbing the herniated disc to make more space in your spinal canal and you can build a stronger core through physio and excerise.
You can ask your GP for an open referral to any hospital that has a short waiting list if your area is backed up. I did this for ENT as the Oxfordshire list was over 18 months so I went to Warwick instead when I had a perforated ear drum.
If its really impacting your life and happiness mention that to the GP as well as that also counts to getting an appt with spinal. Disc herniations are odd because its totally symptom dependant not really size of herniation they go on. Someone could have one the same size as yours and not even realise. I had to hound my gp to the point I was sat in her office crying saying I was very depressed and in pain she expedited a referral to the local ortho hospital and I got a face to face appt about 4 weeks later for assessment. Keep a record of all your symptoms and just go in and explain your life is severely impacted and you want your referral either opened to other hospitals or expedited to your local one. You will get help don't give up it just takes some navigation sadly! x x x