What complaints in the legs should alert one to the possibilty of back problems?

Any pain in the legs which seems to be starting from the back or the buttock region and traveling into one or both the legs. Along with the pain there may be a feeling of “pins and needles” or tingling and numbness in parts of the leg. One may find some weakness in the affected leg in the form of heaviness or difficulty while walking. In the middle aged and elderly there are typical symptoms whereby the person feels pain , heaviness, tingling, numbness and weakness in the legs which increases on walking or standing and is relieved by sitting or bending forwards. These complaints are also related to nerve compression in the back and can be treated by medicines, exercises and in extreme cases by surgery.