Dealing With a Pain in the butt

Whether we call them back of the hip, the buttock or lower back - pain in this area is real pain in the butt.

There are certain conditions we first consider when someone complains in the rear end.

Hip

Hip Pain may not always be felt over the hip area. It is uncommon for hip pain to be felt in back or front of the hip. Pain from a hip problem can also be felt in the groin or upper thigh.

Sacroiliac joint disfunction

The Sacroiliac (SI) joint is a strong joint that is just beside the lower spine. The SI joint is between the tail bone (sacrum) And the back of the pelvis.The sacroiliac joint with its thick cartilage acts as shock absorber for the low back.

A problem with the Sacroiliac joint can cause pain similar to the pain of a disc herniation in the low back. The SI joint pain can be felt in such diverse places as lower back, back of the hip or the groin.

Suffers of sacroiliac joint dysfunction will often complain of difficulty getting up from sitting (especially out of cars), stiffness after being still, and pain when rolling on bed.

Hip Bursitis

The Pain of hip bursitis can be felt in the rear or towards the back of the hip. Bursas are small fluid-filled sacs that help decrease friction between tendons, ligament or bone.

The hip bone is actually a bony projection from the side of upper leg bone. This bony projection is an area that many muscles attach by their tendons.

Swelling of the bursa that is between these tendons and bone leads to hip bursitis. Hip bursitis is often described as a sharp intense pain at the side of the lower hip, but it also extend all around the hip or down the leg.

Suffers of hip bursitis often complain of if they lay on their hip in bed. It is an injury that is aggravated by repetitive hip movements such as walking, cycling, or stair climbing.

Piriformis syndrome

The pain of piriformis syndrome is felt towards the middle of the butt cheek. The piriformis muscle is located in the deep buttock below the glut muscle. This pear shaped muscle is above the sciatic nerve.

Spasm or inflammation of the piriformis muscle can irritate the sciatic nerve causing intense pain in the buttock and down leg.

Piriformis syndrome can be aggravated by sitting for prolonged periods, climbing the stairs, or walking. The hip and leg pain of piriformis can mimic more serious condition such as a herniated disc.

How ever, once properly diagnosed piriformis responds to conservative treatment.

Source: Caymanian Compass (Dr. Jemal Khan)

        Dr. Jemal Khan is a chiropractor based in Cayman Islands.