Buttocks or butt are one of the neglected parts of the body when it comes to taking care of or attending to a pain in the butt. Many brush it off with a wrong posture or slight discomfort when it comes to butt pain. However, persistent pain is a cause of worry. Though the buttocks are primarily composed of fat along with gluteal muscle, they too are prone to injury as well as diseases.
Several factors can cause butt pain. Though the majority of them aren’t severe, the person must visit the doctor to get a check-up done. The person must visit a doctor if there is persistent pain or it gets worse or is followed by the following symptoms:
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- trouble managing bowels or bladder
- butt sore that doesn’t heal
- sharp or piercing pain
- a fever of temperature 104°F (40°C) or higher
- pain while walking and discomfort in movement
Conditions Causing Butt Pain
Here are some of the reasons which might be causing your butt pain.
1. Bruising
Bruising is one of the common reasons for butt pain, the bruising caused by blood from injured blood vessels accumulating under the skin. A bruise can occur from a fall on the buttocks or getting hit on them. The injury may also be accompanied by a swollen lump or any tenderness in the area.
2. Muscle Strain
The buttocks are made up of three primary muscles: the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, and the gluteus minimus. Stress is one of these muscles that can lead to tearing and damage. This can be followed by tenderness in the area, swelling as well as stiffness in moving the injured tissue. The strain can be caused by over-exercising, lack of a warm-up before exercise, or a sudden movement that pressures the body part.
3. Sciatica
This is a sharp and piercing pain in the sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back portion to further below to the legs. Sciatica is caused by a herniated disk or shrinking of the spine which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sciatica mostly occurs in people of age group 40-the 50s, as the conditions causing sciatica are prevalent around this age.
4. Bursitis
In this condition, the fluid-filled sacs known as bursae which effectively cushions the bones get inflamed. When it occurs in the buttocks, it is an ischial bursa. Bursitis that affects the portion of the ischial bursa is known as ischial bursitis. Symptoms of bursitis include pain while sitting or lying down, ain at the back of the thigh, and swelling as well as redness of the affected area.
5. Herniated Disk
The bones in the spine are cushioned by small jelly-filled pads called discs. A disc is herniated when the outer layer of this pad tears and chips, letting the inner cushion material slip out. A herniated disk causes pain and discomfort on nearby nerves causing pain and weakness to the area. If the disc is herniated in the lower back portion, it affects the buttocks, and there is butt pain. Herniated disc mostly occurs in older people.
6. Degenerative Disk Disease
As a person gets older, the disks in the spine and back wear down, and the body loses the bone cushion. This causes friction in the bones, which leads to butt pain and pain in the thighs. The pain worsens when a person sits, bends, or lifts something substantial.
7. Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis is a long muscle that starts from the lower back to the upper portion of the thigh. Injuries to this muscle can inflame it which pressurizes the sciatic and subsequently causes pain in the butt, thighs, and legs. Piriformis syndrome is seldom misdiagnosed as different other types of back pain. Around 6% of people who are diagnosed with lower back pain are victims of piriformis syndrome.
8. Pilonidal Cyst
Cysts are hollow sacs that form in various body parts. Though cysts mostly contain fluid, a pilonidal cyst that occurs in the cleft between the buttocks contains tiny small pieces of hair and skin. These cysts occur when there is ingrown hair on that body part and causes pain to the person along with symptoms like redness of the skin, foul smell, and pus or blood from the cyst. Pilonidal cysts occur more in men than women as they sit at work for a more extended period.
9. Perirectal Abscess
This is a pus-filled cavity that occurs in the gland near the anus. The perirectal abscess is caused by a different type of bacterial infection and is most common in babies than adults. Also, some people can have an abnormal connection between the anus and the skin. This is called fistula and bacteria can get trapped there to cause the abscess
10. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac joint is the one connecting the sacrum to the pelvic bone. When this joint is in flames and gets hurt, it causes pain in the lower body portion, which radiates to the butts and the upper leg portion. Sacroiliac joint pain is seldom misdiagnosed as back pain.
11. Arthritis
Arthritis is stiffness and pain in the joints. There are different types of arthritis, some are caused by aging of the bones, wearing down of the joint muscles, and some others by any immunity attack on the joints. Arthritis of the hip joint can cause pain in the buttocks.
Butt PainTreatment for Butt Pain
To treat pain in your buttocks, you should consult a primary care provider, any rheumatologist, or an orthopedic specialist. The specialist may recommend:
- regular corticosteroid injections to reduce the inflammation
- physical therapy to strengthen the hip muscles improve movements
- procedure to drain out the cyst or abscess
- a surgery to repair herniated disk or replace a joint
Home Remedies for Butt Pain
- One can apply any ice or heat pack for 15 minutes to tackle the swelling and relieve the pain.
- Do gentle stretching of the legs, hips, and buttocks.
- Rest to the legs and butt to give the injured portion time to heal.
- Take OTC pain relievers.
If the butt pain persists for a more extended period, it is essential to consult a doctor soon. The doctor would conduct a physical exam as well as imaging tests to determine the cause of the butt pain. After the root is diagnosed, they can prescribe a suitable treatment plan for the butt pain.
Also Read: Get A Smoother Butt
