Painful cramps occur with any movement of the buttocks.
Mar 27, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
Pain and cramping when moving the buttocks may be caused by conditions such as calcium deficiency, fasciitis, lumbar disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, or sciatica. It is recommended to treat the underlying cause to relieve symptoms. If the pain is severe or lasts for a prolonged period, a detailed medical examination at a hospital is necessary to identify the exact cause and guide targeted treatment.
Leg cramps and pain triggered by moving the buttocks may be caused by conditions such as calcium deficiency, fasciitis, lumbar disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, or sciatica. It is recommended to treat the underlying cause to help relieve symptoms.
1. Calcium Deficiency
Insufficient calcium intake or excessive calcium loss can lead to calcium deficiency, which may reduce bone density and strength, weaken the femoral head's supportive function, and result in pain and reduced mobility. Following medical advice, taking calcium supplements such as oyster shell calcium carbonate tablets, vitamin D2 calcium phosphate tablets, or calcium lactate tablets can help improve symptoms.
2. Fasciitis
Exposure to cold, dampness, or wind may impair local blood circulation. Alternatively, prolonged overstretching of the buttock muscles can keep the muscles in a constant state of tension without adequate rest, leading to ischemia, soft tissue spasms, and even aseptic inflammation, resulting in fasciitis. Other common symptoms include weakness and numbness. Under professional medical guidance, treatments such as heat therapy, infrared therapy, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy may be used to improve local blood flow, relax tense muscles, release soft tissue adhesions, and alleviate discomfort.
3. Lumbar Disc Herniation
Structural changes in the intervertebral disc can cause the annulus fibrosus to bulge or rupture, allowing the nucleus pulposus to protrude through the tear, leading to lumbar disc herniation. The protruding tissue compresses spinal nerves or the cauda equina, causing pain. Other associated symptoms include lower back pain and leg numbness. It is recommended to rest more and, under the care of a qualified physician, receive treatments such as massage or traction to relieve muscle spasms, reduce pressure on the disc, facilitate retraction of the protrusion, and improve symptoms.
4. Piriformis Syndrome
Injury to the piriformis muscle can cause local inflammation, congestion, edema, and spasms, which may compress and irritate the sciatic nerve, resulting in piriformis syndrome. This condition often leads to sciatica and difficulty moving. When pain is severe, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules, or celecoxib capsules may be taken under a doctor’s guidance to relieve pain. If necessary, corticosteroid medications such as prednisolone acetate injection, dexamethasone injection, or methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection may be administered locally as directed by a physician to rapidly alleviate pain.
5. Sciatica
Compression or entrapment of the sciatic nerve can cause sciatic pain, trigger inflammation and spasms in surrounding muscle tissues, and lead to discomfort such as numbness and tingling in the buttocks. Following medical advice, medications such as mecobalamin tablets, adenosylcobalamin tablets, or vitamin B12 tablets may help nourish the nerves and improve the condition.
If pain is severe or persists for a long duration, a detailed medical evaluation at a hospital is necessary to identify the exact cause and initiate appropriate, targeted treatment.
