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The lumbar nerve roots emerge from the spine and at this point they are vulnerable to impingement from a disc prolapse, causing inflammation and/or compression of the nerve and the symptoms of sciatica. Sciatic leg pain is not common, affecting 3 to 5% of adults and both sexes equally. Men are more likely to get it in their 40s and women in their 50s, with pain symptoms lasting over six weeks in up to a quarter of cases. Physiotherapists are routinely asked to supervise the management of sciatica.

When the intervertebral disc material prolapses it causes injury by two mechanisms: direct mechanical compression of the nerve and chemical irritation. The disc material should not be outside the disc and its toxic chemicals help swelling both of the nerve and its surrounding structures, resulting in blockage of the circulation and of the nerve's normal message conduction. While the prolapse is responsible for the sciatica it has not been shown that the bigger the prolapse the more severe the person's pain.

The great forces which we impose on the low back mean the lumbar intervertebral discs suffer structural changes and prolapses. Many activities involve a significant level of leverage, such as flexing over, performing movements in an upright position and lifting with the arms away from the body. This greatly magnifies the forces on the discs and due to their fluid mechanics they suffer 3-5 times the loads on the skeleton. This can cause the disc walls to degenerate, giving weak areas and predisposing to prolapse at some time.

Sciatica usually comes on quickly after an aggravating activity or posture, along with some back pain but this can go off when the leg pain starts. Sciatica is worsened by sneezing, sitting and coughing and is better lying down or standing. The pain is in the buttock and either down the back of the leg or the side and down into the foot. In 5% of cases the affected nerves are the first, second or third lumbar, which give front of thigh pain not beyond the knee. The full picture may sometimes not be present, with individuals describing discrete areas of pain such as the foot only.

The physiotherapist will take the patient's history with particular attention to "red flags" which are indicators of a serious medical reason for the back pain and the patient will not be appropriate for physio. Weight loss, fever, night sweats, age (under 20 or over 55), problems with bladder and bowel control, serious past medical history and night pain will be noted. Any uncertainty means referral to a doctor for investigation. The physio will note any postural abnormalities and the nature, position and activity response of the pain symptoms.

A patient with lumbar radiculopathy may exhibit abnormal posture, sometimes bent forward and unable to bend backwards, with a one-sided trunk shift. Physiotherapists check the ability to perform spinal movements, any pattern of limitation or tendency for the pain to centralise on repeated movements. Physios will test the reflexes, sensibility and muscle power to perform the neurological examination. This and the straight leg raising test allow the physio to check which of the spinal nerves is likely to be the culprit.

Repeated movements may allow pain to centralise, where the pain moves more closely towards the midline of the body, giving an indication of the discogenic nature of the problem. The physiotherapist will also assess the joints of the lower limb as anterior thigh and knee pain can be caused by an arthritic hip, mimicking the pain of an L3 nerve root impingement. The examination and testing is very important as it allows the physio to form a diagnosis and decide on treatment or referral to a doctor for investigation.

Physiotherapy sciatica treatments include many therapies: manipulation, mobilisation technique, lumbar stability, myo-fascial release, McKenzie method (especially useful in disc prolapse), stabilising exercise, massage and soft tissue techniques, pain killers, education of the patient, advice on the best position to relieve extreme sciatica pain and rest. Sciatica settles as the pressure and inflammation ease but physiotherapists would recommend an ongoing exercise programme to maintain back fitness over the long term.