A. A herniated disc can lead to more serious conditions. If the herniated disc is in the lower back, it can cause pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg, which is called sciatica, the most common herniated disc symptom in the lower back. If a severely herniated disc is left untreated, a serious condition known as “Cauda Equina Syndrome” can also develop in the lower back, affecting bowel and bladder function as well as causing partial paralysis of the lower limbs.
