Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy)
Quick summary
Sciatica shooting into your leg? Assessment, physiotherapy and targeted injection pathways in Oxford.
Sciatica is leg pain caused by irritation of a lumbar nerve root — most commonly by a disc prolapse. The majority of cases improve within 6–12 weeks with the right conservative approach.
Key takeaways
- Sciatica shooting into your leg? Assessment, physiotherapy and targeted injection pathways in Oxford.
- Diagnosed with in-clinic ultrasound alongside clinical examination.
- Treated with a stepped, evidence-based plan — not one-size-fits-all injections.
- Self-referral available — no GP letter required.
Symptoms
- Sharp, burning or electric pain radiating down the leg
- Numbness or pins and needles in a specific dermatome
- Weakness of foot, calf or thigh in severe cases
- Pain worse coughing, sneezing or sitting
Causes & risk factors
- Lumbar disc prolapse (most common)
- Foraminal stenosis
- Facet joint hypertrophy
- Rarely — tumour or infection
Who is most at risk
- Age 30–50
- Occupations with prolonged sitting or heavy lifting
- Previous back injury
- Higher BMI, smoking
Differential diagnosis
Conditions that can mimic Sciatica.
- Facet joint referred pain
- Piriformis or deep gluteal syndrome
- Hip pathology referring to the buttock
- Spinal stenosis in older adults
- Cauda equina syndrome (red flag)
How we diagnose Sciatica
Clinical examination localises the affected root. MRI is used when symptoms fail to improve within 6 weeks or if red flags are present.
Treatment options
Neural-glide physiotherapy
Targeted neurodynamic work reduces radicular pain and improves function.
Fluoroscopically-guided epidural or nerve root block
Referred to a trusted spinal specialist for confirmed radiculopathy refractory to 6+ weeks of care.
Analgesic optimisation
Neuropathic agents (amitriptyline, gabapentin) used selectively.
Spinal surgical referral
For progressive weakness or cauda equina signs — urgent.
What we look for on ultrasound
Not directly imaged; ultrasound is used to guide peripheral piriformis or SI joint injections when these are contributing.
When to seek help
Book urgently for any progressive leg weakness, saddle numbness or bladder / bowel dysfunction — these are red-flag features.
Recovery timeline
Typical timeframes after diagnosis and treatment. Individual recovery varies — your clinician will personalise this plan.
- 1Week 0–2Symptom control
Simple analgesia, stay as active as tolerated.
- 2Week 2–6Rehab
Directional preference exercises and nerve glides.
- 3Week 6+Escalation
MRI, guided nerve-root injection or surgical opinion if persistent.
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Related conditions we treat
Explore other musculoskeletal conditions assessed and treated at the clinic.
- Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder
- Hip Osteoarthritis
- Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
- Knee Osteoarthritis
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylalgia)
- Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylalgia)
- Trigger Finger
- Thumb Base (CMC) Arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Plantar Fasciitis
Related symptom guides
Patient-friendly guides that describe how spine problems typically present.
- Back Pain Radiating Down the Leg (Sciatica)Back pain that shoots down the leg is usually sciatica from nerve root irritation. Learn the causes, red flags and evidence-based treatments.
- Lower Back Pain When Standing — Causes & TreatmentBack pain that comes on with prolonged standing or walking often reflects facet joint pain or spinal stenosis. Learn how each is diagnosed and treated in Oxford.
- Neck Pain with Headaches — Cervicogenic HeadacheHeadaches that start in the neck and radiate to the back of the head are often cervicogenic. Learn how facet joints and the upper cervical spine are assessed and treated.
Related treatments
Ultrasound-guided procedures we use to treat musculoskeletal conditions.
Sciatica assessment & treatment across Oxfordshire
We treat sciatica patients from across Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties. Two hours of free parking is available directly at the clinic in Botley, OX2.
How we make treatment decisions
Every recommendation at Oxford Injection Clinic is shaped by current UK guidance — including NICE recommendations for musculoskeletal pain, published NHS guidance on injection therapy, and peer-reviewed evidence from British and international MSK medicine journals. We follow a stepped-care model: accurate diagnosis first (clinical examination and diagnostic ultrasound), conservative measures where appropriate, and image-guided injection or referral only when clinically indicated. Consultant physiotherapist Bob Chandran reviews the latest MSK literature and updates our clinical protocols routinely.
Further reading
Recognised UK and international clinical guidance relevant to Sciatica.
Frequently asked questions
Will I need surgery?
About 10% of sciatica sufferers ultimately have surgery. Most improve within 6–12 weeks with conservative care.
Book a consultation for sciatica
Consultant physiotherapist Bob Chandran (Boobala Chandran Subramanian) leads every clinic. Self-refer today.
Getting here
Easy to reach — and easy to park
We're in Elms Parade, Botley, just a few minutes from Oxford city centre with excellent transport links.
Free parking
2 hours free, right outside
Park directly in front of the clinic in the Elms Parade car park — 2 hours free for patients, no app or ticket needed for short visits.
From Oxford Railway Station
Approx. 1.5 miles (8 min by taxi, 20 min walk). Head west on Botley Road, continue straight across the A34 flyover into Westway, then turn right into Elms Parade.
Nearest bus stop
Elms Parade (Stop B1) — directly outside the clinic. Served by routes 4, 4A, 4B and 4C from Oxford city centre (every 10–15 min).
By car
Junction 8/9 of the A34, exit toward Botley. Postcode OX2 9LG for sat-nav.
Expert MSK care in Oxford
Oxford Injection Clinic is the specialist musculoskeletal service of GB Clinic Oxford, an independent physiotherapy and interventional MSK clinic based in Botley. Our consultants and advanced practitioners assess, scan and treat the full spectrum of joint, tendon, ligament and nerve problems — from acute sports injuries to long-standing arthritis. Every clinician is HCPC-registered and holds post-graduate qualifications in diagnostic ultrasound, injection therapy or advanced musculoskeletal practice.
We believe the fastest route to recovery is an accurate diagnosis on day one. That is why every consultation includes a full history, a hands-on clinical examination and, where useful, a real-time high-resolution ultrasound scan. If an ultrasound-guided injection is likely to help, we can usually perform it in the same visit — no separate trips, no waiting weeks for imaging.
Evidence-based, patient-led
Not everyone needs an injection. Our clinicians follow NICE, BOA and international best-practice guidance to decide when injections, shockwave therapy, hydrodilatation, barbotage or a structured loading programme is the right next step. Where surgery is genuinely the best option we say so, and we can refer to trusted orthopaedic and pain specialists across Oxford, London and the Thames Valley.
Patients travel to see us from Botley, Summertown, Headington, Cowley, Iffley, Abingdon, Witney, Kidlington, Bicester, Didcot, Wallingford, Wantage, Wheatley, Thame, Woodstock, Chipping Norton, Banbury, Henley-on-Thames and Reading. Same-day appointments, evening slots and Saturday clinics are usually available, and free on-street parking is right outside the clinic.