What is sciatica and what causes it?

Sciatica is pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve — from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg. The most common cause is a herniated lumbar disc pressing on a nerve root (L4, L5, or S1). Other causes include spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and piriformis syndrome. True sciatica is a nerve pain syndrome, not a diagnosis in itself — the underlying cause determines the treatment.

How long does sciatica typically last?

Most acute sciatica from a herniated disc improves within 4–12 weeks with conservative care. About 80–90% of patients avoid surgery. Stenosis-related sciatica tends to be more chronic and may not resolve without treatment. Factors that predict faster recovery include younger age, shorter symptom duration, and absence of neurological deficits.

When should I see a spine specialist for sciatica?

See a spine specialist if: symptoms persist beyond 4–6 weeks despite conservative care, you develop progressive leg weakness or foot drop, you have bowel or bladder dysfunction (urgent — may indicate cauda equina syndrome), or pain is severe enough to significantly limit daily function. Most primary care physicians will refer after 4–6 weeks of failed conservative treatment.

Can sciatica be treated without surgery?

Yes — the majority of sciatica cases resolve without surgery. Conservative care includes physical therapy, NSAIDs (if medically safe), activity modification, and epidural steroid injections for temporary relief. Surgery is considered when conservative treatment fails after 6–12 weeks, when there is progressive neurological deficit, or when symptoms significantly impair function.

What is the difference between endoscopic discectomy and microdiscectomy?

Both procedures remove herniated disc material pressing on the nerve. Microdiscectomy uses a 2–3 cm incision with microscope visualization — it's the time-tested standard with 90–95% success rates for leg pain relief. Endoscopic discectomy uses a sub-centimeter incision with camera visualization, potentially allowing faster recovery. Not all herniations are suitable for endoscopic approach — candidacy depends on herniation location, size, and anatomy.

Do epidural steroid injections cure sciatica?

No — epidural steroid injections reduce inflammation around the compressed nerve and can provide temporary relief (weeks to months), but they don't fix the underlying structural problem (herniated disc or stenosis). They're most useful for buying time to participate in physical therapy, or to delay surgery when you're not ready. If the injection provides significant relief, it's a good predictor that surgery would also help.

Can Fort Wayne patients access fellowship-level sciatica care locally?

Yes. Dr. Marc Greenberg is fellowship-trained at Mayo Clinic and practices through the Parkview Health network in Fort Wayne. He offers the full spectrum of sciatica care — from conservative management through endoscopic discectomy, microdiscectomy, and minimally invasive decompression — without patients needing to travel to Indianapolis or Cleveland. New patients are typically seen within one week.

What are the red flags for sciatica that require urgent care?

Seek urgent evaluation for: bowel or bladder dysfunction (may indicate cauda equina syndrome — a surgical emergency), saddle anesthesia (numbness in the groin/rectal area), progressive leg weakness or foot drop, bilateral leg symptoms, or fever with back pain. These symptoms require same-day or emergency evaluation, not a scheduled appointment.

Topic Cluster HubPatient Education

Sciatica Fort Wayne:
Complete Topic Guide

Quick Answer

Sciatica is nerve pain radiating from the lower back down one leg, most commonly caused by a herniated disc pressing on a nerve root. About 80–90% of cases resolve with conservative care in 4–12 weeks. Dr. Marc Greenberg at Greenberg Spine in Fort Wayne offers the full treatment spectrum — from physical therapy and epidural injections through endoscopic discectomy and microdiscectomy — for patients who don't improve with conservative care.

Nine in-depth guides covering every stage of the sciatica journey — from first symptoms through diagnosis, conservative care, injections, and minimally invasive surgery — written for Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana patients.

Dr. Marc Greenberg, MD — Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon

·Updated April 29, 2026·

Medically Reviewed

9 Guides

in this cluster

~65 min

total reading

4 Causes

covered in depth

Fort Wayne

locally focused

What Is Sciatica? (The Short Version)

Sciatica is pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve — from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg, often past the knee. It's caused by compression or irritation of one of the lumbar nerve roots (most commonly L4, L5, or S1) that form the sciatic nerve.

The most common cause is a herniated lumbar disc pressing on a nerve root. Other causes include lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and piriformis syndrome. True sciatica is a nerve pain syndrome — the underlying cause determines the treatment.

When to seek care: Most acute sciatica can be managed conservatively for 4–6 weeks. Seek urgent evaluation for progressive leg weakness, bowel/bladder dysfunction, bilateral leg symptoms, or saddle anesthesia — these may indicate cauda equina syndrome, a surgical emergency.

Articles in This Guide

Each post targets a specific stage of the sciatica journey — from first symptom to treatment decision.

Early Awareness#1 in cluster·January 15, 2025·7 min read

Sciatica Symptoms: When to See a Doctor

Which sciatica symptoms are safe to watch at home, and which ones — progressive weakness, bowel/bladder changes, bilateral leg pain — mean you should call a spine specialist today. Includes a red-flag checklist.

What this post covers:

Red-flag symptoms requiring urgent evaluation
Symptoms that can be managed conservatively for 4–6 weeks
When to escalate from primary care to a spine specialist
The difference between acute sciatica and chronic nerve compression

Read: Symptoms & When to See a Doctor

Top of Funnel#2 in cluster·January 15, 2025·8 min read

Sciatica vs Back Pain: How to Tell the Difference

A practical self-check guide to distinguish true sciatica (nerve pain radiating below the knee) from general back pain. Covers the straight-leg raise test, dermatomal patterns, and why the distinction matters for treatment.

What this post covers:

Sciatica vs back pain: the key clinical distinction
Self-check: does your pain radiate below the knee?
Dermatomal patterns — which nerve root is involved
Why misidentifying sciatica leads to wrong treatment

Read: Sciatica vs Back Pain

Mid Funnel#3 in cluster·January 15, 2025·9 min read

Sciatica Pain Relief: What Actually Works

Evidence-based review of conservative and interventional options for sciatica — from NSAIDs and PT to epidural injections and surgery. Includes an honest assessment of what the research shows works, what is weak, and what to avoid.

What this post covers:

Evidence table: NSAIDs, PT, injections, surgery — what the research shows
When epidural steroid injections are appropriate
The 6–12 week conservative care window before surgery is considered
Minimally invasive options: endoscopic discectomy vs microdiscectomy

Read: What Actually Works for Sciatica

Mid Funnel#4 in cluster·January 15, 2025·8 min read

Sciatica Exercises That Help (and What to Avoid)

Evidence-based exercises for sciatica relief — McKenzie extension, nerve glides, piriformis stretches — with guidance on what movements to avoid during the acute phase. Includes a printable exercise reference.

What this post covers:

McKenzie extension exercises for disc-related sciatica
Nerve gliding exercises to reduce nerve tension
Piriformis stretches for piriformis syndrome
Movements to avoid during acute sciatica flares

Read: Exercises That Help

Mid Funnel#5 in cluster·January 15, 2025·7 min read

Can Sciatica Be Cured? Realistic Expectations

Honest answer to the most common sciatica question. Covers natural resolution rates, recurrence risk, and when surgery provides durable relief vs. when it doesn't. Includes the 80–90% conservative resolution statistic in context.

What this post covers:

Natural resolution: 80–90% of sciatica improves without surgery
Recurrence rates and risk factors
When surgery provides durable relief
Chronic sciatica: what to do when it doesn't resolve

Read: Can Sciatica Be Cured?

Early Awareness#6 in cluster·January 15, 2025·6 min read

How Long Does Sciatica Last?

Typical sciatica duration by cause — acute disc herniation vs. stenosis-related vs. piriformis — with factors that predict faster vs. slower recovery. Includes the 4–6 week conservative window and when to escalate.

What this post covers:

Typical duration: 4–12 weeks for most acute cases
Factors that predict faster recovery
When sciatica becomes chronic (>12 weeks)
The 4–6 week conservative window before imaging is recommended

Read: How Long Does Sciatica Last?

Local#7 in cluster·January 20, 2025·8 min read

Sciatica in Bryan, Ohio: Self-Check & Next Steps

A self-check guide for Bryan, Ohio patients with sciatica — covering when to seek care locally vs. travel to Fort Wayne, what to expect at a first consultation, and the minimally invasive options available through Greenberg Spine.

What this post covers:

Self-check: is your leg pain true sciatica?
Bryan, OH patients: local care vs. Fort Wayne consultation
What to expect at your first spine consultation
Minimally invasive options available at Greenberg Spine

Read: Bryan, Ohio Sciatica Guide

Bottom of Funnel#8 in cluster·January 15, 2025·9 min read

Endoscopic vs Microdiscectomy: Which Is Right for Sciatica?

Detailed comparison of endoscopic discectomy and microdiscectomy for sciatica — candidacy criteria, recovery differences, and how Dr. Greenberg at Greenberg Spine in Fort Wayne determines which approach fits each patient.

What this post covers:

Endoscopic vs microdiscectomy: incision size, recovery, candidacy
Who is a candidate for endoscopic discectomy
Success rates and recurrence risk for both approaches
How Dr. Greenberg determines the right approach

Read: Endoscopic vs Microdiscectomy

Mid Funnel#9 in cluster·January 15, 2025·7 min read

Epidural Steroid Injection for Sciatica: What to Expect

What happens before, during, and after an epidural steroid injection for sciatica — including realistic expectations for relief duration, how many injections are appropriate, and when injections are not the right next step.

What this post covers:

What to expect before, during, and after an ESI
Realistic relief duration: weeks to months
How many injections are appropriate
When ESI is not the right next step

Read: Epidural Injections for Sciatica

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica

Ready for a Clear Diagnosis and a Real Plan?

Fellowship-trained spine care is available locally in Fort Wayne — no travel to Indianapolis required. Dr. Greenberg sees new patients through the Parkview Health network and typically has appointments available within one week.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Marc Greenberg, MD

Fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon · Mayo Clinic · Johns Hopkins · Brown University

Last reviewed: April 29, 2026 · Category: Patient Education · Topic Cluster Hub

What Is Sciatica? (The Short Version)

Articles in This Guide

Sciatica Symptoms: When to See a Doctor

Sciatica vs Back Pain: How to Tell the Difference

Sciatica Pain Relief: What Actually Works

Sciatica Exercises That Help (and What to Avoid)

Can Sciatica Be Cured? Realistic Expectations

How Long Does Sciatica Last?

Sciatica in Bryan, Ohio: Self-Check & Next Steps

Endoscopic vs Microdiscectomy: Which Is Right for Sciatica?

Epidural Steroid Injection for Sciatica: What to Expect

Explore by Condition or Procedure

Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica

What is sciatica and what causes it?

How long does sciatica typically last?

When should I see a spine specialist for sciatica?

Can sciatica be treated without surgery?

What is the difference between endoscopic discectomy and microdiscectomy?

Do epidural steroid injections cure sciatica?

Can Fort Wayne patients access fellowship-level sciatica care locally?

What are the red flags for sciatica that require urgent care?

Ready for a Clear Diagnosis and a Real Plan?

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