Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What condition is characterized by back pain radiating down the leg?

1. Herniated disc

2. Sciatica

3. Muscle strain

4. Osteoarthritis

The correct answer is: Sciatica

The condition characterized by back pain radiating down the leg is typically defined as sciatica. Sciatica occurs when there is irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. This irritation can lead to pain that radiates down the leg, often following the path of the sciatic nerve. While a herniated disc can indeed cause symptoms similar to sciatica—such as back pain radiating into the leg—sciatica specifically refers to the symptom of nerve pain that results from the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself. It's a broader term that encompasses various possible underlying causes, including herniated discs, but is defined by the distinct pattern of pain radiation down the leg. This makes sciatica a common diagnosis presented in clinical settings when patients report such symptoms. In contrast, muscle strain typically causes localized pain without the hallmark nerve radiation into the leg. Osteoarthritis, while it can lead to pain and stiffness in the lower back and legs, generally does not manifest as a specific radiating pain like sciatica does. Therefore, sciatica stands out as the most accurate description of the condition that combines back pain with pain radiating