Symptoms from back problems vary. They depend on a person's condition and which structures are affected. Some of the more common symptoms of low back problems are:

• Low back pain
• Pain spreading into the buttocks and thighs
• Pain radiating from the buttock to the foot
• Back stiffness and reduced range of motion
• Muscle weakness in the hip, thigh, leg, or foot
• Sensory changes (numbness, prickling, or tingling) in the leg, foot, or toes

A large herniated disc that pushes straight back into the spinal canal can put pressure on the nerves that go to the bowels and bladder. The pressure may cause symptoms of low back pain, pain running down the back of both legs, and numbness or tingling between in the legs. The pressure on the nerves can cause a loss of control in the bowels or bladder. If the pressure isn't relieved, it can lead to permanent paralysis of the bowels and bladder. This condition is called caude equina syndrome. Doctors recommend immediate surgery to remove pressure from the nerves.