How long does sciatic nerve pain last? It normally lasts for about six weeks, although people can experience chronic pain in the limbs if the issue isn’t resolved. Pain can also go away on its own and re-emerge again, just when you think you got the situation under control. If sciatic nerve pain is chronic, because the pain is often so strong and noticeable, most people see a doctor for a solution pretty quickly instead of allowing the pain to linger.
For some people, over time their bodies get rid of the inflamed part of the bulging tissue that’s irritating the spinal nerves without them needing to do anything at all. However, when pain continues for more than six weeks, it’s unlikely that the condition will clear up on its own without treatment.
It’s possible that sciatic nerves can be pinched without any pain forming at all. While sciatica without pain is not very common, it’s possible to have pressure and damage to the sciatic nerve roots and not know it. For example, one study found that 50 out of 100 people who were examined had a bulging spinal disc, but in 20 of the patients, there wasn’t any noticeable pain despite the fact that the disc had entered the surrounding tissue in the spine.
On the other hand, pain can last a very long time in other patients despite trying various treatments. While people with “acute sciatica” (short-term) have a good chance of recovering well, about 20 percent to 30 percent will experience persistent problems after one or two years. (8) In some cases, ongoing numbness in the thighs and buttocks can be a sign of a more serious problem like nerve damage that can become permanent, or even a disease, so it’s always a good idea to see a professional if sciatic nerve pain lasts for a long time.