What causes pain in the buttock crease?
Sep 17, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Shuai
Introduction
Pain in the buttock crease may be caused by muscle strain, piriformis syndrome, sacroiliac joint arthritis, hemorrhoids, or coccyx fracture, and could also be related to conditions such as tinea cruris (jock itch) or anal fissure. It is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital if experiencing discomfort, to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment. In daily life, one should maintain good sitting posture, engage in moderate exercise, and follow a light diet.
Generally speaking, pain in the buttock cleft may be caused by muscle strain, piriformis syndrome, sacroiliitis, hemorrhoids, coccyx fracture, etc. If patients experience other discomforts, they should seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Muscle Strain
Poor working habits or unhealthy lifestyle practices may cause the gluteal muscles to remain in a state of overuse for prolonged periods, potentially leading to muscle strain and resulting in internal buttock pain. It is recommended that patients rest more and, under medical guidance, undergo treatments such as ultrasound therapy or infrared radiation to improve local blood circulation and relieve discomfort.
2. Piriformis Syndrome
Prolonged sitting or poor sitting posture may injure the piriformis muscle, which can then compress and irritate the sciatic nerve, leading to piriformis syndrome and causing pain in the buttock cleft. Patients are advised to apply heat therapy, massage, and other methods under medical supervision to promote local blood circulation, relax the muscles, and alleviate symptoms.
3. Sacroiliitis
Trauma to the hip joint or bacterial infection may trigger inflammatory reactions in the sacroiliac joint, resulting in sacroiliitis and causing buttock pain. In cases of severe pain, patients may take medications such as celecoxib capsules or diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets under medical guidance to relieve pain.
4. Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids typically develop due to downward displacement of enlarged anal cushions and swelling and congestion of submucosal blood vessels in the anal region, mainly manifesting as pain during defecation, bleeding, anal itching, and a sensation of prolapse. It is recommended that patients use medications such as Zhisuening tablets, Zhikang capsules, or hemorrhoid suppositories under medical supervision.
5. Coccyx Fracture
If the buttocks suffer severe trauma—such as from a fall or being struck by a heavy object—landing on the buttocks or impact with hard surfaces may easily cause a coccyx fracture. This results in pain and tenderness in the sacrococcygeal area, along with pain in the midline cleft of the buttocks. In such cases, timely surgical intervention may be required, such as coccygectomy or T-plate fixation combined with bone grafting.
It is recommended that individuals experiencing bodily discomfort seek prompt medical evaluation at a hospital to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate, targeted treatment.
