Back Pain Slideshow Pictures Sciatica Pain Slideshow Take the Back Pain Quiz!

Medical Author:

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Driver is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. She currently is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she is a partner in Mission Internal Medical Group.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Sciatica Prognosis

Most of the time, the pain associated with sciatica goes away in days to weeks. Pain can become more chronic in a small number of people, leading to some disability. Sciatica tends to reoccur frequently, sometimes without warning.

As your back is recovering, avoid twisting your back while bending at the same time because this move may aggravate your healing back and may slow your recovery.

Synonyms and Keywords

sciatica, lumbago, piriformis syndrome, ischiadic passion disease, back pain, low back pain, slipped disc, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, sciatic nerve, back injury

Authors and Editors

Author: Catherine B. Driver, MD

Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Previous contributing author and editors:

Author: Joseph R Lex, Jr, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University Hospital.

Editors: Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM, Research Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; Thomas Rebbecchi, MD, FAAEM, Program Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

REFERENCE:

Hildreth, C.J., C. Lynm, and R.M. Glass. "Sciatica." JAMA 302.2 (2009): 216.