What is the cause of soreness in the calves from the buttocks down?

Soreness from the buttocks down to the calf is typical of a herniated lumbar disc compressing the nerve roots and causing radiating pain. A high suspicion of lumbar disc herniation requires consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon for relevant CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of the lumbar spine area to clarify the condition and prompt surgical treatment, which is the fundamental measure to relieve the symptom.