During an examination, the nurse asks a patient to bend forward from the waist and notices that the patient has lateral tilting. When his leg is raised straight up, the patient complains of a pain going down his buttock into his leg. The nurse suspects:

A. A herniated disc can cause pain that radiates down the leg (sciatica) when the leg is raised, along with lateral tilting of the spine as the patient attempts to relieve pressure. B. A meniscus tear is usually associated with knee pain rather than back or leg pain. C. Scoliosis refers to a lateral curvature of the spine but does not cause radiating leg pain as described in this case. D. While muscle spasms can cause back pain, they are not typically associated with radiating leg pain or lateral spinal tilting.