intermittent or continuous back pain (this may be made worse by movement, coughing, sneezing, or standing for long periods of time) spasm of the back muscles sciatica - pain that starts near the back or buttock and travels down the leg to the calf or into the foot. muscle weakness in the legs numbness in the leg or foot decreased reflexes at the knee or ankle changes in bladder or bowel function Muscular Dystrophy Muscular dystrophy causes the muscles in the body to become very weak. The muscles break down and are replaced with fatty deposits over time. clumsy movement difficulty climbing stairs frequently trips and falls unable to jump or hop normally tip toe walking leg pain facial weakness inability to close eyes or whistle shoulder and arm weakness