Which term describes pain, weakness, and numbness or tingling in the leg due to sciatic nerve compression?

• A. Carpal tunnel syndrome
• B. Peripheral neuropathy
• C. Radiculopathy
• D. Sciatica

Answer: (D)

Sciatica describes the leg-focused symptoms that come from compression of the sciatic nerve or its roots. When the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed, you typically get sharp or aching leg pain that radiates down the back of the leg, often with weakness and sensory changes like numbness or tingling. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower spine through the buttock and down the leg, so compression there explains the pattern of symptoms.

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the wrist and hand, not the leg. Peripheral neuropathy usually causes widespread, often symmetric numbness and tingling in many nerves rather than a single leg pattern. Radiculopathy refers to nerve-root compression and can produce leg pain, but the classic, targeted description of leg pain plus weakness and numbness/tingling due to sciatic nerve compression is best labeled sciatica.