Which symptom best describes the condition associated with sensory loss over the lateral thigh and radiating pain down to the knee?

The condition described is best characterized by sensory loss over the lateral thigh and radiating pain down to the knee, which aligns with the involvement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This nerve primarily innervates the skin over the outer thigh, and neuropathy in this area can lead to symptoms such as paresthesia or pain in that specific distribution.

In lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropathy, patients may experience symptoms termed "meralgia paresthetica," which is marked by numbness, tingling, or burning sensations along the lateral aspect of the thigh. This is due to the entrapment or irritation of the nerve, often at points where it passes under the inguinal ligament or can be influenced by factors such as obesity, tight clothing, or direct trauma.

The other conditions do not manifest with the same specific sensory distribution:

• Radial nerve neuropathy typically affects the arm and wrist, leading to wrist drop or weakness in hand extension rather than issues in the thigh.

• Aching in the hip joint is more indicative of intraarticular or muscular problems affecting the hip, not sensory changes along the thigh.

• Sciatic nerve neuropathy generally leads to symptoms down the posterior leg and may cause weakness as well,