Exact Answer: Up to 24 months
Sciatica may last for around 24 months it depending on the medical condition of the person. The lasting period of sciatica depends on son how severe the health problem is. Sciatica will probably affect one side of the person’s body where it would cause immense pain.
The pain starts from the spine area and goes down to the backside of the leg. The patients will have to take a few medications for the treatment of sciatica. Many patients will have to get physiotherapy done for getting rid of all the symptoms of sciatica.
Sciatica may happen if the intervertebral disc of the person is deteriorated or degenerated. Compression of the spinal nerve root is another reason for having the painful symptoms of sciatica.
How Long Can Sciatica Last?
Sciatica | Time |
In months | 24 months |
In years | 2 years |
Generally, the symptoms of sciatica will vanish in 3 to 4 weeks. If the severity of sciatica is very high, then it may stay for 12 to 24 months. The inflammation in the sciatic nerve root is another big cause of people getting the symptoms of sciatica. The symptoms of acute sciatica will last for around 6 weeks or more.
Sometimes, the sciatica symptoms will get subside on their own. Sometimes, it may get severe and may ask for serious high dosage medication treatment. Once sciatica becomes chronic, then the person will suffer from the symptoms for around 2years.
The severity, symptoms, and treatment would be different for everyone with sciatica. In sciatica, many nerve roots would get affected in various locations of the body. Sometimes, sciatica may happen in the foot or in the leg. The person’s body would have a different response for all the treatments.
Therefore, there is no fixed date for how long the symptoms of sciatica would last. As there are many other conditions to be considered. Some of the most important conditions are:
Health problems- In people with diabetes, the nerve can get damaged and would bring the symptoms of sciatica. The nerve may get compressed if someone has a tumor. Ankylosing spondylitis is another cause of the symptoms of sciatica. People with rheumatoid arthritis may be at higher risk of getting the symptoms of sciatica.
Inflammation of bloating can also bring the issues of sciatica.
Improper treatment- Treatment such as medication and physiotherapy is vital for helping the symptoms of sciatica. Anybody not following the medication prescribed by the doctor or taking it in an irregular manner will face the symptoms of sciatica. Taking physiotherapy daily or a few days a week is essential for fighting the issues of sciatica.
Bodyweight- People with any type of spine issue should not be overweight. People need to maintain a healthy weight for faster recovery. Obese people may not recover from sciatic if they fail to shed weight.
Why Can Sciatica Last This Long?
The symptoms of sciatica would require many types of treatment together. The people may also try the following treatment together for better results:
Heat therapy- Sciatica would become more severe if the circulation is not happening properly. Blood circulation is very important for relaxing the tight muscles. Heat therapy should be done by patients who are suffering from chronic sciatica.
Cold therapy- ice or cold therapy is great for restricting the blood flow in a specific area. Restrictions in blood flow would help in reducing the pain and inflammation. Ice therapy is perfect for people who have acute sciatica.
Massage- The patients can try doing the massage for increasing the blood flow. Doing massage regularly will help in releasing endorphins. Endorphins are good hormones that will reduce the tension formed on the part.
The patients can try the treatment or therapies that are recommended by the doctors.
Conclusion
The doctor would find the real cause of sciatica and would start treating the cause. The stretching of nerves would work, but not for the inflamed nerves. Therefore, the patient has to take any other medications and therapies to help sciatica. Everyone should avoid doing any activity that would trigger the symptoms of sciatica.