Inflammation of the sciatic nerve of the leg, typically presenting as unilateral leg pain, is known as which condition?

• A. Spina bifida
• B. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• C. Subdural hematoma
• D. Sciatica

Answer: (D)

Sciatica is pain that travels along the pathway of the sciatic nerve, typically on one side, caused by irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve or the lower spine nerve roots. This leads to sharp, shooting, or burning leg pain that can start in the lower back or buttock and radiate down the leg, often with numbness or weakness. It’s commonly due to things like a herniated disc or nerve compression in the lumbar region. The other options involve different parts of the nervous system or different clinical pictures—spina bifida is a congenital spinal defect, while subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hematoma are brain bleeds with symptoms such as severe headache or altered consciousness, not a unilateral leg pain pattern.