View our interactive decision aid for patients considering surgery for sciatica. This decision aid is most suitable for patients who:

  • the clinician (GP, physiotherapist, chiropractor) considers appropriate for referral to a spinal surgeon for an opinion on back surgery, or for patients who have already received a referral

  • have sciatica likely caused by lumbar disc herniation

  • have sciatic leg pain that has lasted less than 6 months (the evidence is less clear for longer durations)

You can view the clinician user guide here.

Decision aid for patients considering surgery for sciatica

Read about its development and user-testing here:

Read about why health literacy is important for decision aid design: