There is pain in the same area, usually extending below the knee to the foot. It is not unusual for the back itself to be painless. Finally, the muscles that the nerve controls may become weak and the reflexes disappear. Chart A Skin areas of the lower limbs innervated by various spinal nerves. Dermatomes of lower limbs.
Spinal stenosis can also cause compressive type pain.
In some people, degeneration of the spine can result in a narrowing of the spinal canal where the spinal nerves are located. This causes all of the nerves within the spinal canal to become inflamed and fail to function properly. Numbness can involve both of the lower extremities. The numbness may become worse with activities such as walking. Pain can involve both of the lower extremities.