Outlook

The prognosis for people with acute back pain associated with "red flags" depends on the underlying cause of the pain.

• Up to 90% of people experience an episode of back pain without other health concerns, and their symptoms will go away on their own within a month. For about half, back pain may return.
  
  
• About 80% of people with sciatica will eventually recover, with or without surgery. The recovery period is much longer than for uncomplicated, acute back pain.
  
  
• You can improve your chances of early recovery by staying active and avoiding more than 2 days of relative bed rest.