When you experience pain in your buttock or gluteal area, it can be easy to assume that the problem is coming from your lower back. Lumbar radiculopathy, which occurs when a nerve root in the lower spine becomes irritated or compressed, can cause pain that travels into the buttock and leg. However, not all buttock pain is caused by the spine. There are several other muscles, tendons, joints, and tissues around the hip and pelvis that can contribute to pain in this area. Understanding where the pain is actually coming from is an important part of creating the right treatment plan.
One possible cause is greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), which can cause pain around the outside of the hip and upper portion of the buttock. Another possibility is gluteus medius or gluteus minimus tendinopathy, which involves irritation of the tendons of muscles that help stabilize the hip and pelvis. These muscles are important for walking, running, climbing stairs, and maintaining stability during everyday movements. When these tissues become irritated or overloaded, pain can develop around the outside of the hip or buttock.
Piriformis or deep gluteal syndrome is another potential source of symptoms. The deep muscles of the buttock can become irritated and may contribute to pain or other symptoms around the sciatic nerve. Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction can also cause discomfort around the lower back, buttock, and hip area. Finally, problems originating directly from the hip joint can sometimes be felt in the groin, hip, or buttock, making it difficult to determine the source based on pain location alone.
Because so many different conditions can cause similar symptoms, simply assuming your buttock pain is sciatica may not give you the full picture. A physical therapy evaluation can look at your strength, flexibility, mobility, movement patterns, and pain response to help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.
If you are experiencing persistent buttock, hip, or leg pain, Specialized Physical Therapy can help evaluate your movement and develop an individualized treatment plan. Call Specialized Physical Therapy today at (314) 970-2466 to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward getting back to doing what you love.
Source: https://www.hanschiropractic.com/3-common-conditions-that-feel-like-sciatica-but-arent/