The herniated disc medical condition has a number of side effects. The bulging cartilage of the vertebra joints of the pine exerts pressure on different bundled nerves. The nerves are the main means by which impulses are carried  within the body. Many prominent nerves pass through the spinal cord. A herniated disc at any position of the spine can cause serious complications. If the protruding disc impinges on any of the nerves that are connected to the legs, foot swelling can occur.
Symptoms of a herniated disc are so commonplace, that it is difficult to ascertain whether they are actually on account of this or some other medical condition. Foot swelling and pain in the lower back are symptoms of a herniated disc. This happens when the disc gets ruptured and compresses the nerves which are connected to the lower part of our body.

The herniated disc in the lumbar spine can hurt the sciatica nerve that enters the legs from the lumbar region. It is the nerve that passes to the thighs and branches off to all other areas of the legs, ankle and foot. The bulging disc of any of the lumbar joints can cause impingement of the sciatica nerve. Once the nerve is poked, complications start arising. Complications are foot swelling, pain, difficulty in walking or standing.

Foot Swelling occurs because the nerve that is responsible for controlling and coordinating the leg muscles or other tissues get blocked due to the herniated disc.  The other most common cause of foot swelling is the prostaglandins. These are hormones which are secreted to reduce the pain and inflammation on account of the impingement of the nerves.