Leg weakness and back pain


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Leg weakness and back pain


Many people with low back pain feel as if their legs are weak. They will still have normal strength in their leg muscles, but moving their legs usually causes discomfort and gives them a sense of weakness.

True leg weakness leaves you unable to use some of your leg muscles normally. This can happen when a herniated disc presses on the nerve roots that make up the sciatic nerve. Pressure on the nerve interferes with its ability to control the leg muscles.

Credits


Author Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD

- Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Robert B. Keller, MD

- Orthopedics
Last Updated August 9, 2006

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Last updated: August 09, 2006
Author: Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By: William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Editors: Kathe Gallagher, MSW, Pat Truman

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