Can a herniated disc cause a burning sensation in the leg? Like a hot aching?
Most definitely it can. Anything "down line" from where your nerve is irritated can give you troubles.
This October will be the six year anniversary of when my back pain got unmanageable without meds.
I remember the day like it was yesterday.
I stood up from doing some push-ups and it felt like someone put a shotgun in my back.
I have herniated discs at L4 & L5 and then two vertabrae above those are really beat up.
The best advice I can give is to stay as mobile as you can. Sitting is hell for lower backs. Strengthen your core, stretch and keep your weight down.
My injury limited me enough that I didn't work for over two years. Gained a lot of weight through those dark days.
I fought with doctors for years to get the meds I needed to be active. It's so tough nowadays to find a doctor that will listen and give good care. The abuse of pain meds has made it really hard for the people that actually need them and use them responsibly.
Don't let a stubborn doctor make you believe that you should live your life in pain.
As far as symptoms is concerned I experience "burners" down my right leg, 24 hours a day every day. Without pain meds I deal with constant burning pain down my leg. The meds take the burning away but there is always a numbness and deadness to my quad. It can go down as far as my toes on days when my back is inflamed.
For instance I can cross my right leg over my left (sitting upright) and can only count to four before I start to feel intense tingling down the outside of my right leg.
Stay mobile.
Stay limber
Keep your weight down.