Spinal Pain & Sciatica Clinic
Procedures Offered
Specialist Spinal Injection Procedures
We currently provide the following lumbar and pelvic interventions:
- Lumbar facet joint steroid injections
- Lumbar medial branch blocks
- Sacroiliac joint steroid injections
- Caudal epidural steroid injections
- Lumbar epidural steroid injections
- Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections
- Selective nerve root blocks
All procedures are delivered by appropriately trained clinicians, with imaging guidance where indicated.
A Clear Referral Pathway
We have developed a straightforward referral pathway designed to complement the care you already provide for patients with persistent back pain and sciatica:
1. Comprehensive Assessment by a Spinal Specialist Physiotherapist
Your patient will receive a detailed clinical assessment including history taking, a physical examination and review of previous imaging and treatment. Consideration is given to guideline-based conservative care and whether targeted injection therapy is clinically justified.
2. MRI Imaging (Where Clinically Indicated)
MRI imaging is arranged where required to support diagnostic clarity, confirm the target structure and exclude alternative pathology. Imaging findings are reviewed alongside the clinical presentation before proceeding.
3. Injection Procedure
A consultation with the injecting clinician is done prior to the procedure. Patients receive information regarding benefits, risks and alternatives before providing informed consent. Procedures are performed in a controlled clinical environment using imaging support where appropriate.
4. Post-Injection Review
Patients are reviewed by the spinal specialist physiotherapist following the procedure. Clinical response is assessed and recommendations provided to support ongoing management and rehabilitation. Structured communication is provided to referrers following assessment, intervention and follow-up.
Patients Who May Benefit
This service may be appropriate for patients who:
- Have persistent low back pain, with or without leg pain, significantly affecting function and quality of life
- Have not responded sufficiently to first-line management, including physiotherapy, exercise therapy, analgesia or activity modification
- Present with suspected facet joint-mediated pain, sacroiliac joint-related pain, lumbar radicular pain, sciatica or nerve root irritation/compression
- May benefit from diagnostic blocks to clarify the source of pain and guide longer-term management
Patients presenting with red flag features suggestive of serious pathology are not suitable for this pathway and should be referred via appropriate urgent or secondary care routes.
Benefits for Referrers
As a university-based service, our pathway combines specialist clinical expertise with an evidence-informed approach designed to complement the care you already provide. Benefits include:
- Rapid access to specialist spinal assessment
- MRI imaging where clinically indicated
- Access to targeted spinal injection procedures
- Diagnostic clarity through targeted blocks where appropriate
- Structured reporting following assessment, intervention and follow-up
- A clear next-step option for patients who are not improving with first-line management
Structured reports are provided following assessment, injection and follow-up, helping you stay informed and continue your patient’s ongoing care.
Our Specialist Team
Our Spinal Pain and Sciatica Injection Service is delivered by highly experienced specialists with extensive expertise in assessing and managing persistent back pain, sciatica and nerve-related spinal conditions.
Dr. Neil Langridge
Director of Clinical & Rehabilitation Services, Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Health, Consultant Physiotherapist
Neil is an internationally recognised Consultant Physiotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience, supporting patients with long-term and complex conditions. He leads our team as Director of Clinical & Rehabilitation Services, drawing on his qualifications, including a Doctorate in Clinical Practice.
See bio
Richard Stanley
MSK and First Contact Physiotherapy, Clinical Lead for MSK Services
Richard is an experienced Physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal and spinal care, with a focus on helping people with complex or persistent symptoms understand their condition and access the most appropriate treatment options to support recovery and function.
See bio
Dr. Khalid Alaib
Pain Management Consultant
Dr Khalid Alaib is a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia with specialist expertise in the assessment and management of persistent, complex and difficult-to-treat pain conditions.
See bio
Dr. Laith Al-Obaidi
Consultant Radiologist
Dr Laith Al-Obaidi is a Consultant Radiologist and Interventional Pain Specialist with extensive experience in diagnostic imaging, image-guided procedures and the management of musculoskeletal and spinal pain.
See bio
Refer a Patient
Patients can self-refer. More information for patients can be found here.
If you would like to discuss a patient, review the pathway in more detail or arrange a presentation for your practice or MSK team, please contact our team.
