This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

L5 damage

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Motor signs: slight weakness of dorsiflexion of the foot and extension of the big toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint may occur. The extensor hallucis longus seems especially vulnerable to loss of the function of this root. There may also be a little weakness of eversion.

Sensory signs: blunting of the sensation may be found extending down the antero-lateral aspect of the shin across the dorsum of the foot to the hallux beyond the first metatarso-phalangeal joint; also the sole of the foot.

Reflex jerks: neither the knee or the ankle jerk are affected.

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page