Significance

• According to Spinehealth.com, leg numbness is often associated with back problems. Sometimes leg symptoms are the only symptoms of a back problem.
  
  

Features

• Leg numbness and back pain may also be accompanied by leg pain, leg weakness and foot pain.
  
  

Causes

• Nerve compression in the lower back can cause low back pain along with leg symptoms such as numbness. Most commonly, the compression of the sciatic nerve is responsible for bothersome symptoms. Compression occurs as a result of a herniated or ruptured disk.
  
  

Treatment

• Sciatic nerve compression may be treated with pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, steroid injections or surgery if the condition is severe.
  
  

Warning

• If back pain and leg numbness are accompanied by fever, chills, sudden weight loss, bladder incontinence or bowel incontinence, emergency medical treatment is warranted.