The term ‘sciatica’ has been used to encompass a range of nerve-related conditions such as radicular pain, or painful radiculopathy. ‘Sciatica’ has in some instances even been used to encompass somatic referred pain. Whereas these pain conditions may overlap, they are discrete entities with differing dominant pain characteristics (e.g., nociceptive or neuropathic), which may require specific treatment approaches. Nevertheless, these terms are often used interchangeably and these heterogeneous conditions are usually amalgamated in clinical trials and guidelines. This amalgamation may contribute to the at best modest treatment effects.In this talk, I will discuss how progress in the field is likely hindered by inconsistent use of terminology, absence of agreed diagnostic criteria and inclusion of heterogeneous patient populations in research. These inconsistencies prevent interpretation of study results and their application to clinical practice, yet are influencing clinical guidelines. Specifically, I will showcase the dilemma of the presence of neuropathic pain in people with ‘sciatica’. The uncertainty whether radicular pain is a neuropathic condition prevents targeted education, effective explanation and personalised interventions. I will present available and novel evidence on pain phenotyping and will critically question whether it may be a way towards more effective management for people with spine-related leg pain.