Based on a patient’s presentation, careful neurologic examinations and radiographic data may be employed to identify pathological lesions. From a surgical standpoint, the laterality of lesions always influences surgical planning and results. Precise localization is crucial for the success of the commonly preferred minimally invasive surgeries. False localization can undercut such efforts. Even though we strive to confirm lesions before operating, false localization may still occur. In this report, we present a case of a patient with false localizing signs on the lumbar spine. The signs of localization of lumbar radiculopathy differed between presenting symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging scans. This discrepancy posed difficulties in deciding on the surgical approach. There were no published case reports on false localization signs at the lumbar spine before. In this report, we discuss the possible mechanisms involved and review the relevant literature.