Pain in the right buttock

definition

The buttocks describe colloquially the human's buttocks. From a purely anatomical point of view, the buttock largely consists of the gluteal muscles, which are divided into three muscles of different thickness. Together with plenty of subcutaneous fat, the gluteal muscles form the well-padded buttock, which has to absorb a lot of weight, especially when sitting.

In the case of pain in the buttock, the gluteal muscles are rarely meant. Pain in the upper thigh, hip and lower back is also often described as pain in the buttock. The pain can take various forms and be dull, pulling, stabbing or throbbing. It is also decisive whether the pain is felt permanently or through targeted pressure or movement.

The reasons

Many people experience pain in the buttock and lower back. More and more people are affected, especially in old age. The cause can be various underlying diseases of the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles or nerves. Bad posture, immobility, excessive strain and inflammatory or rheumatic diseases contribute to the development of pain in this region of the body.

Pain is common in strength athletes or after heavy stress on the buttocks and thigh muscles. The muscle pain is just a harmless sore muscles that subside after about 3 days. Tension in the muscles or the pinching of certain tendons can also be painful. In certain sports that involve twisting the hips, for example skiing or playing basketball, tension can quickly develop or muscles can be pulled.

Orthopedic problems of the lower back and hip joints are often mistakenly mistaken for pain in the buttock. Countless people are affected by pain in the lumbar spine. Insufficiently developed back muscles with insufficient movement or long periods of sitting are predestined for such complaints. A common orthopedic problem affecting the lower back is SIJ blockage. This is a blockage of the joint between the sacrum and iliac bone.

In some cases, the pain can be caused by nerve irritation. The so-called sciatic nerve is often affected. It pulls from the lower spine through the buttock into the leg in order to take care of many structures there. He can become irritated or damaged by entrapment, tension or medical interventions.

The ISG blockade as the cause

An SIJ block is a reversible blockage of the joint between the lower spine and the hip bones. Certain mechanisms in the ligaments and muscles limit mobility in the joint, which leads to pain and immobility.

Often the cause is incorrect lifting, bending or standing. The pain arises deep in the lower back and worsens with a lack of exercise. Long, monotonous sitting and lying down at night increase the pain. Sometimes the pain can spread to the legs.
The therapy consists primarily of mobilizing the joint through certain exercises. The blockage can often be removed with the help of a doctor. In other cases, immobility may persist chronically.

You can read in our article how you can effectively solve an SIJ blockage ISG blockage - this is how the blockage is released.

Sciatica irritation as the cause

Sciatic irritation is when the sciatic nerve (also called sciatic nerve) is stimulated by surrounding structures. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and can be irritated in different places. The right sciatic nerve emerges from the spinal cord and has to pass through a constriction in the vertebral bodies. Narrowing there can lead to irritation of the nerve.

The nerve can also be irritated when it passes through the pelvis. This can be caused, for example, by tension in the right piriformis muscle (piriformis syndrome). If the nerve is irritated, its function is disturbed.
Pain sensations from the right buttock and the right back of the thigh can be incorrectly passed on to the brain. In addition, tingling and numbness can develop. If sciatica irritation occurs in the further course of the nerve, the symptoms can also affect the lower leg or the foot.

Read more about the topic here: Pinched sciatic nerve.

The piriformis syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is a syndrome caused by the piriformis muscle, which causes pain in the buttock and back of the thigh on the affected side.

The piriformis muscle can harden and thicken as a result of overloading, which leads to muscle irritation. Due to the position of the muscle in the pelvis, this muscle tension often causes pain in the buttock. The pain in the right buttock is caused by the piriformis irritation on the right side. In addition, the piriformis muscle can press on the sciatic nerve (sciatic nerve) and irritate it.

Find out more about the topic here: Piriformis Syndrome.

The symptoms

The pain in the right buttock can take many forms. It can occur diffusely in the muscle, be concentrated on a certain point or extend along certain lines across the buttock and into the leg. Accordingly, the pain is described as pulling, burning, stabbing or dull. The timing of the pain can also vary. The pain can be permanently present or worsen while walking, sitting or lying down.

In the case of muscular problems, rapid fatigue is often described. This is often expressed in the increased effort when getting up or climbing stairs. Since most buttock pain is an orthopedic problem, accompanying symptoms such as fever are rare. If the nerves are impaired, tingling, numbness and, less often, paralysis of the legs can also occur.

Cause of pain in the legs? Get information here.

Back pain as a symptom

Lower back pain is often mistakenly referred to as buttock pain. The back is very prone to pain, muscular tension and all kinds of orthopedic problems.
The lumbar spine in particular, which is level with the buttocks, is often affected by pain. Pain in the back can lead to radicular symptoms, with the pain extending along the nerves into the buttock. An indication of this is the one-sided symptoms.

Back pain is also often mistakenly mistaken for a herniated disc. A herniated disc is a rupture of a disc, causing the fluid to leak inside the disc and, depending on the extent of the incident, damage the nerves and spinal cord. By no means all of the back pain is due to the disc. Tension and muscle complaints in the spine are also conceivable. Under certain circumstances, these can affect the nerves. Also a Piriformis Syndrome is often mistaken for a herniated disc. The pain is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle.

Also read our article about Lower back pain.

Groin pain as a symptom

Groin pain in combination with pain in the buttock suggest a joint disease. The hip joint is often affected. Osteoarthritis of the femoral head can be the cause. Long-term incorrect loading can lead to such a clinical picture and cause pain in the groin with pain in the buttocks.

Also the so-called “impingement syndrome”“ the hip causes such pain. In the case of complaints that persist for several days, an orthopedist should be consulted to clarify these clinical pictures.

For more information, read on: Osteoarthritis of the hip.

Leg pain as a symptom

Pain originating in the back or buttock can run along a line down the leg and in some cases the foot. There is a pulling pain. This type of pain is also known as radicular pain or pseudoradicular pain. The spread along the buttock up into the leg suggests that a nerve that comes from the lower back and supplies the leg is affected. Pseudoradicular pain refers to the same pain that does not directly affect the nerve in the spine.

The causes of the pain can be a slipped disc, rheumatic complaints of the spine, ISG blockages, tension, injuries or medical interventions. Initially there is a tingling sensation, later pain and possibly even paralysis. Before the nerve is permanently damaged, therapy must be started urgently. This can be done with physiotherapy, medication or, if necessary, surgically.

Find out more about the topic here: Pain in the legs.

When does the pain occur?

While sitting

Sitting is a common cause of back problems of all kinds. Long, monotonous sitting, as is common in many office jobs, promotes back pain. In addition, those affected often suffer from a sedentary lifestyle and poorly developed back muscles.
An ISG blockage can also be favored by long periods of sitting. Treatment of the blockage consists in mobilizing and moving the joint. Accordingly, the pain is particularly severe after periods of prolonged sitting. Muscle tension in the back or the buttock itself can also worsen in a certain position.

Nowadays there are many approaches to prevent orthopedic problems while sitting. An ergonomic office chair that adapts to the spine is a sensible investment.
Movement is especially important for the back. Walks, sport for a change or alternating work while standing and sitting can prevent discomfort.

You can find out how to train your back effectively in our article about Training the back muscles!

Laying

Many spinal complaints improve when lying down. When lying down, the load on the body is shifted from the legs and hips. On the other hand, complaints are aggravated depending on the back or side position. In the sacroiliac joint in particular, the pain can increase when lying down. This makes the nights difficult to bear for those affected by an ISG blockade. Since the symptoms of SI joint blockade worsen with little movement, lying down for long periods is an additional factor in the pain.

Even if the muscles and tendons of the buttock are irritated, the discomfort while lying down must be considered. Stinging pain can occur when the patient is in the supine position.

You can also find more information in our article about Hip pain when lying down.

After jogging

Jogging as a sporting activity is mostly positive for the back. However, if exercised incorrectly or too intensely, pain can occur and joints can be affected. First and foremost, muscle strain or sore muscles in the buttock should be considered. However, if you have orthopedic problems in your back, jogging can also make the pain worse.
In the case of acute problems, the focus should initially be on rest until the pain has been clarified by a doctor.

In the long term, jogging helps prevent many back problems. Jogging as a stressful sport is sometimes counterproductive in the case of individual symptoms of the back, including rheumatic diseases.

Do you suffer from hip pain while / after jogging? Then read our article too Hip pain during or after jogging - what do I have?

The diagnosis

The most important building block for the diagnosis of pain in the buttock is the anamnesis. A further description of the pain often makes it clear that the cause is not actually in the gluteal muscles themselves, but somewhere else. To exclude nerve involvement such as in a herniated disc, the Piriformis Syndrome or the SIJ blockade, the question of how the pain is radiated to neighboring body regions is a key issue.

If the muscles are tense, a hardening of the muscles can often be felt from the outside. Together with the questioning about previous activities, this can give indications of an incorrect strain on the muscles. In the case of orthopedic diseases of the back, CT or MRI images can be made for diagnosis.

The treatment

Therapy can be symptomatic or causal. Many causes of pain in the buttock resolve themselves within days to weeks. In particular, sore muscles, muscle strains or tension can be treated symptomatically. Herniated discs and other orthopedic diseases do not always have to be treated either. Symptomatic therapy primarily includes pain medication that can be taken as tablets. Painkillers from the NSAID group are often used because they have an additional anti-inflammatory effect. The main representatives of this group are ibuprofen, diclofenac and indomethacin. For certain orthopedic problems, more targeted symptomatic therapy can also be used. Syringes with cortisone, which are specifically injected into the painful region, are a frequent alternative therapy. Cortisone has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. In some clinical pictures, it inhibits the inflammation in such a way that the problem area is relieved for a few days in order to calm down and heal by itself.

In the case of blockages in the hip joint or an ISG blockage, immediate partial relief can be achieved through targeted manipulation by the doctor. A blockage can thus be healed or kept under control if it is chronic. A large number of complaints of the lumbar spine and intervertebral discs can be improved or prevented by training the back muscles. Strong muscles in the lower back prevent a lot of pain caused by a sedentary lifestyle, long periods of sitting or lifting.

In acute situations, surgery may be necessary. In the case of a herniated disc, the need for an operation must always be carefully examined. Nowadays, an operation for a herniated disc is rarely necessary.

With chronic rheumatic complaints, causal therapy is not possible in the majority of cases today. They are kept under constant control with anti-inflammatory drugs and symptomatic approaches.

You can also find tips for a healthy back in our article Back training.,

The duration

The duration of pain in the buttock varies greatly depending on the cause. If the pain is localized in the muscles themselves, it is often just a harmless muscle complaint. Sore muscles will heal on their own within a few days. Even slight strains can only be felt for a few days. With severe strains or torn muscle fibers, the pain can sometimes last for weeks.

Even with causes that lie in the back, the duration of the illness and the pain fluctuates. Many joint ailments that occur especially in old age can be chronic and cause permanent latent pain. Chronic complaints are spoken of if symptoms last longer than 6 months.

The success of the treatment of orthopedic complaints is largely dependent on the cooperation of the patient. This includes taking the medication but also performing physiotherapeutic measures.

During pregnancy

Pregnancy puts a lot of strain on the lower back, hips and buttocks. During pregnancy, hormones are released in the woman's body that relax and loosen the muscles and ligament structures in the body. This is very useful for the birth process, but also stressful for a heavily stressed back. Back pain in the lumbar spine is a frequent companion of women during pregnancy, especially due to the additional weight load that arises from the growing child.

The increased pressure created in the pelvis by the growing uterus can also squeeze the nerves running to the leg. The sciatic nerve is not infrequently affected during pregnancy. In most cases this manifests itself as a tingling sensation with numbness in the leg.

Also read our article on bilateral buttock pain during pregnancy!

With the child

In the case of pain in the buttock that occurs in children, one usually has to think of other causes than in adults. Orthopedic problems of the back are less common in children, which is why other problems come to the fore.
The buttock cheek can be bruised and bruised by applying blunt force. A boil structure can also break in the event of severe falls. In the event of severe pain, an orthopedic surgeon or pediatrician should definitely be consulted.

Does your child have hip pain? Get information here: Hip pain in children.

Buttocks pain on both sides

A pain in the buttock that occurs on both sides suggests a symmetrical improper strain on the muscles. In general, muscular problems of the buttock occur symmetrically more often than joint problems or nerve involvement.
After intensive training of the gluteal muscles or excessive stair climbing, pain on both sides can be felt the following day. Pulled muscles can also occur on both sides. It is possible, but less common, that a problem with the nerves occurs on both sides.

For more information, read on: Diagnostic tool for pain in the buttock.