What Causes Severe Lower Back Pain With Leg Weakness, Difficulty Walking, And Pain That Worsens When Sitting Or Standing But Improves When Lying Flat?

Posted on Thu, 14 May 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 May 2020 Answered on

Thu, 6 Nov 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having lower back pain / also some pain up the back/ but mainly in the middle lower part of my back/ pain in both legs / having trouble walking/ heavy yet weakness in both legs / Feels like I could fall when walking / get this extreme pain every now and then down both legs / my arms hurt / moving my neck hurts my lower back. Sitting and standing hurt / legs feel funny/ Only get some relief when laying flat in bed.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to a back muscle spasm.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The pain in the back that you are having is likely to be due to a back muscle spasm or a strain. This can happen due to excessive exercise or a sudden jerk. The weakness in the legs can be related to mild nerve root compression due to the muscle spasm.

You need to take a bed rest and an oral muscle relaxant for relief. Do a hot compress and apply local analgesic gel like Volini on the area. Do consult your physician and get an oral muscle relaxant prescribed for relief. Mild pain killers can also help till then.

I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health.

Regards,
Dr. Praveen Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (15 hours later)

Hi there, it’s currently the middle of the night and my lower / middle back pain is keeping me awake. I am having some numbness in both legs and arms. My right leg is worse than my left with some pain in the right buttock. I have had this lower back pain for about 5 days but with bed rest for the past 3 days it’s not getting better. If anything it’s getting worse. I can only stand for about 5 minutes as my legs feel weak and heavy. The only position that is ok is flat on my back. My pelvis hurts too. When standing from sitting I get this extreme rush of pain/heat/ electric down both legs making me feel like I want to drop to the floor. It only lasts about 5 minutes but it is unbearable and has happened maybe 4 times in the past 3 days. I have had an issue with L4 L5 disk bulge before. I am just not understanding where this has come from. Not being able to move is really difficult. Hopefully you can offer some advice. I have been trying everything I can at home but it’s not working. Also when I lift my neck up when laying flat I can feel it down my back. Anyway as I have said I have had lower back issues before and usually with rest it gets better but it’s getting worse. Thank you for your time.

Regards

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need prescription medicines.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

It seems that you have an acute disc prolapse. MRI scan of the scan will help in confirmation of diagnosis. In addition to rest this needs oral muscle relaxants and methyl cobalamin supplements for relief. Physiotherapy like traction can also help. You need stronger prescription medicines after consulting an orthopedist. Only mild pain killers at home will not be sufficient.

Hope my answer is helpful. Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar