There are many causes of numbness in the legs, and usually the elderly need to be examined promptly for discomfort, with lumbar disc herniation being the most common. It is recommended that the cause of the condition is first identified promptly at an orthopaedic clinic to clarify the presence of spinal pathology, and if there are no obvious abnormalities on examination, stroke and diabetic peripheral neuropathy should also be considered as causes of this condition.