Hello aloneoutthere,
You can get a diagram of the nervous system and see which vertabrae the various nerves exit from, it's as easy as reading a road map. I think your doctor may be though as I am experiencing basically the same thing as you, except it's the tops of my feet, I can't move my toes upwards. This is controlled by the nerve S2. This nerve exits vertabrae L4 I think, the area where I had a disc removal and fusion about 6 months ago. So now I'm going the routine of trying to nail this problem down. Have had the epidural, myelograms, ct's and the nerve conduction test. The nerve conduction test should be renamed something more appropriate like maybe, The KGB Method of Making You Talk or Scream For Mercy!! I'm no whimp when it comes to pain, but I'm telling you that test is barbaric to say the least. I understand the need for the test and the fact that it is painful or they couldn't get the results needed, just a heads up. I'd get a couple of opinions and get it fixed before you wake up one morning like I did and find out you can't walk properly, that will scare you straight as it has me. I wish you luck, don't play with this thing as it could damage nerves.
Ben