BUTTOCK PAIN IN ATHLETES

Diagnosis of the specific cause of buttock pain can be difficult.

The most common causes of buttock pain are:

1. Referred pain from the lumbar spine

Buttock pain that goes down the back of the thigh suggests a lower back problem. However, this can also be caused by tight external hip rotator muscles.

2. Referred pain from sacroiliac joints

Buttock pain which is worse in the mornings, and improves with light exercise, is suggestive of pain arising from inflamed sacroiliac joints.

3. Hamstring problems

Hamsting problems include tendonitis, partial tears, and bursitis.

Treatment for the various causes of buttock pain is dependent on the cause of the buttock pain.