What are the common causes and treatments of buttock pain?

Answer: Buttock pain, generally defined as sharp and recurring pain in the buttock region can have many causes. It can be a side effect from certain medications, or the result of disease. The causes are so varied it is often hard to determine the origin. It may require many doctor visits and a variety of tests to get to the bottom of what is causing the pain.

Anal and rectal conditions are common causes of buttock pain. If suffering from one of these conditions your buttock pain would likely include, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or a change in bowel movement.

Sciatica, also called spinal stenosis, is another condition that can cause buttock pain. It is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, a nerve which connects directly to the spinal cord. If you are suffering from sciatica, you would also likely have back pain, thigh pain, and leg pain. This pain often becomes so intense that it standing up can become difficult, if not impossible to do. Testing for sciatica would include an uraliysis, a urine culture, and a blood work up. Treatment is typically physical therapy, along with a regime of anti inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Hip arthritis causes severe buttock pain, and is very common in the elderly. Other symptoms would include general tenderness and swelling of the joints, and possibly difficulty walking or standing. Arthritis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and other pain medications.

To determine the exact cause of your buttock pain, your physician will conduct a physical examination to pinpoint the exact area where the pain is the greatest. He’ll want to see you walk, so that he can study your gait. He will also feel your joints to see if there is any swelling. He may also do a rectal examination, to determine if there are any lumps or swellings.

Finding the exact cause of your symptoms will require that you be an active participant in your treatment. Make sure you detail all your symptoms when you visit the doctor. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand the doctors instructions. Following these simple guidelines will help ensure that you get the best possible treatment.

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