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.