Sciatica and radicular pain of leg or arm is usually caused by nerve irritation/inflammation due to bulging disc. There are many multimodal treatment methods including physiotherapy and anti-neuropathic agents commonly advised in GP surgery.
More persistent pain may require multiagent treatment that will be discussed during consultations.
Invasive methods such as epidural injections, nerve root injections and pulsed radiofrequency stimulation are recommended by NICE for treatment of these types of pain. Those procedures usually require one spinal injection with the deposition of local anaesthetic and steroids close to inflamed nerves causing pain. The injection has a higher chance of success than any other pain killer however it does not always work in every situation. The pain relief lasts a few months.