Sciatica and sick leave: what to expect?

Contents

La sciatica is sometimes so incapacitating that it limits professional activity. In this case, the doctor generally prescribes a work stoppage of a variable duration?

What happens if the pain persists? How long can you stay on sick leave? Can this condition be considered an occupational disease? We talk about it in this article.

Sciatica, short recall

What is sciatica ? Definition and explanation

La sciatica is an inflammation of sciatic nerve which causes sharp pain that usually radiates from the sacral and pelvic region to the legs.

The nerve sciatica is the most complex and bulky nerve in the human body, which, due to its conformation and particular location, is exposed to greater interference from skeletal structures.

What is sciatica ? Definition and explanation

La sciatica corresponds to an irritation of the sciatic nerve which causes sharp pain that usually radiates from the sacral and pelvic region to the legs.

The nerve sciatica is the most complex and bulky nerve in the human body, which, due to its conformation and particular location, is exposed to greater interference from skeletal structures.

To learn more about this condition, see the following article.

Sciatica: work limitations

The pains of sciatica can limit certain gestures and positions, in particular prolonged standing or sitting, anterior flexion of the trunk, the manual carrying of heavy loads, the use of certain vibrating machines, etc. These limitations can significantly harm the patient's professional activity, which which ends with a decrease in productivity, a increase de absenteeism and the multiplication of work stoppages.

Sciatica and sick leave

In case of sciatica, a sick leave prescribed by a doctor may be necessary. The duration of the latter depends on several parameters, in particular:

  • La causes sciatica (herniated disc, zygapophyseal osteoarthritis, spondylolisthesis, etc.).
  • La severity of symptoms.
  • La response to medical treatment (an extension of sick leave is possible in the event of insufficient response).
  • Le the land, that is to say age of the patient, his antecedents and his general state of health.

The duration of sick leave in the event of lumbosciatica also depends on the type of profession practiced. Here are some examples (according to the high health authority):

  • Sedentary work (no carrying heavy loads, office work for example): Usually 2 days off work.
  • Light physical work involving the occasional carrying of a load of less than 10 kg or the repeated carrying of loads of less than 5 kg: 5 days.
  • Moderate physical work involving the occasional carrying of a load of less than 25 kg or the repeated carrying of loads of less than 10 kg: 21 days.
  • heavy physical work involving the carrying of loads of more than 25 kg: 35 days.

In some extreme situations, a professional redeployment may prove necessary (impossibility of carrying out the tasks related to the position occupied).

Sciatica: recognized as an occupational disease?

La sciatica may be recognized as an occupational disease under certain conditions. The latter are specified in tables 97 and 98 of the general scheme relating to chronic conditions of the lumbar spine:

  • The diagnosis must be made by a doctor after carrying out an imaging examination (MRI or scanner) highlighting a lumbar disc herniation (L4-L5 or L5-S1) as a cause of sciatica.
  • The sciatica must last at least 3 months to be considered chronic.
  • La exposure time must be at least 5 years (period during which the patient performs work likely to cause lumbosciatica).
  • Le pick-up time is fixed at 6 months, that is to say that the sciatica must be observed within 6 months of stopping exposure.

In the event of sciatica from a cause other than a herniated disc, recognition as an occupational disease is more complicated. In any case, it is essential toTalk to your attending physician or occupational physician so as not to lose certain rights. A workers' compensation lawyer may also be able to help you.

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