The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of management strategies for sciatica: systematic review and economic model.

The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of management strategies for sciatica: systematic review and economic model R Lewis,* N Williams, HE Matar, N Din, D Fitzsimmons, C Phillips, M Jones, A Sutton, K Burton, S Nafees, M Hendry, I Rickard, R Chakraverty and C Wilkinson Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, School of Medicine, North Wales Clinical School, Wrexham, UK School of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK Spinal Research Institute, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK Patient representative, Betws-y-coed, UK The Spinal Unit, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK *Corresponding author Background: Sciatica is a symptom characterised by well-localised leg pain with a sharp, shooting or burning quality that radiates down the back of the leg and normally to the foot or ankle. It is often associated with numbness or altered sensation in the leg. Objectives: To determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different management strategies for sciatica. Data sources: Major electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE and NHS Economic Evaluation Database) and several internet sites including trial registries were searched up