Motor weakness for the L5 nerve would be gluteus medius, peroneal, extensor hallicus longus (EHL) and tibialis anterior weakness. EHL weakness is not that important as it is not a very important muscle except in certain unusual occupations.
The major weakness of L5 that would affect day to day life would be weakness of tibialis anterior. This causes foot drop; the inability to keep the foot up on heel strike during gait. This is tested simply by walking on your heels while keeping the feet up off the ground. If you cannot keep the ball of the foot from touching the ground while doing this test, there is weakness.
S1 weakness would affect the gastroc-soleus group (calf muscles) and the hamstrings. Testing this is simply by toe walking. If while walking on your toes, the heel on the affected side drops (it doesn’t have to touch the ground), there is weakness.
In either case, this is an indication of the need for decompression sooner than later.
Cauda equina syndrome is another matter entirely. This is caused by a massive herniation that compresses the entire canal and causes bowel and bladder dysfunction. This is an urgent matter but by the description of your herniation, you do not have this syndrome.
Dr. Corenman
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.