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Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy) - Management
How should I follow up someone with sciatica?
- Advise the person to seek urgent review if they develop symptoms suggestive of cauda equina syndrome, such as:
- Saddle anaesthesia or paraesthesia.
- Bladder dysfunction (distension, incontinence).
- Faecal incontinence.
- Severe or progressive bilateral neurological deficits in the legs.
- Use clinical judgement to decide if and when to follow up.
- Most people are appropriately invited to return only when necessary.
- When following up, review the diagnosis and assess the person's response to treatment; manage accordingly.
- When following up:
- Review the diagnosis — check again for red flags for serious conditions, and for signs and symptoms of other conditions that can cause sciatica.
- Assess how the person's pain and disability have responded to treatment, and manage accordingly.
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