A 40-year-old construction worker presents with a 2-week history of low back pain that radiates down his right leg. He also reports weakness when lifting his foot. What could be the cause and what are the next steps?
The patient's symptoms suggest sciatica, likely due to a herniated lumbar disc causing compression of the right sciatic nerve. This condition often occurs due to physical strain, such as heavy lifting. The next steps should include a physical examination, including a straight leg raise test, and possibly imaging like an MRI to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other potential causes.