Patient education: Sciatica – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for sciatica. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that starts in the lower back. It runs all the way down the back of the leg.

You might have something like a disc or bone spur pinching or damaging your sciatic nerve. This can cause pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling that goes from the buttock down the leg toward the heel. When these symptoms happen, it is called "sciatica." The medical name for this is "radiculopathy."

You might have sciatic pain on 1 side or both. It will probably get better on its own without surgery.

You might be waiting on test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Stay as active as you can without causing too much pain. It is OK to rest your back for a day or so. But get up and move around gently during the day as you can. After a few days, slowly start to increase your activity as you can. If something makes your pain come back or get worse, stop and go back to doing easier activities that did not hurt.

●Avoid sitting or standing in 1 position for a long time. It might help to sleep with a pillow under or between your knees.

●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve swelling and pain, such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

●If the doctor recommended specific stretches and exercises, do these as instructed.

When should I get emergency help?

●Return to the ED if you:

•Cannot walk, or start having trouble controlling your bowels or bladder

•Get new or worsening pain, numbness, or weakness that spreads to both legs

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if:

●Your pain is getting worse, even after taking pain medicines and resting.

●You cannot do your normal activities because of the pain.

●You have new or worsening symptoms.

More on this topic

Patient education: Radiculopathy of the neck and back (including sciatica) (The Basics)
Patient education: Exercises for sciatic pain (The Basics)