Arthritis in the buttocks area usually means pain from inflammation or wear-and-tear in nearby joints, most commonly the sacroiliac (SI) joints, where the spine meets the pelvis, or the hip joint, leading to symptoms like deep ache, stiffness, and pain with movement, often mistaken for arthritis but sometimes caused by related conditions like piriformis syndrome or gluteal tendinopathy. Common culprits include osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory arthritis affecting the SI joints or hips, causing pain that can radiate to the groin, thigh, or lower back.
The typical pain from hip arthritis is located in the groin thigh or buttock. The pain is generally worse with weight bearing activities (e.g., walking, standing, or twisting). Some patients report "start-up" pain – an especially bad discomfort upon standing after being seated for a prolonged period of time.
Stiffness in your lower back and pelvis, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity, is a classic of SI joint dysfunction. You may also experience a burning sensation in the pelvis, which distinguishes the discomfort from the usual muscle or ligament strain.
Red flags for buttock pain needing urgent care include loss of bowel/bladder control, severe leg weakness, saddle numbness (groin/inner thigh numbness), fever/chills with pain, severe night pain disrupting sleep, or pain after trauma, suggesting serious issues like cauda equina syndrome or infection, while persistent, worsening pain, or numbness/tingling warrant a doctor's visit to rule out sciatica, disc issues, or SI joint problems.
Piriformis syndrome occurs when your piriformis muscle compresses your sciatic nerve and results in inflammation. It can cause pain or numbness in your buttock and down the back of your leg. It can happen on one side of your body or both. The piriformis is a flat, narrow muscle.
10 Ways to Relieve Buttock Muscle Pain
Orthopedic specialists diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, including what causes pain in the buttocks. After an examination, a physician may recommend: Physical therapy for stretching, strengthening, and mobility. Imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs to diagnose nerve, bone, or muscle injuries.
To relieve butt pain, use heat or ice, take OTC pain relievers, try gentle stretches like pigeon pose or figure-four stretches, use a sitz bath for anal pain, and rest; but if pain persists or worsens, see a doctor for potential underlying issues like sciatica or muscle strain.
In some people, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. This is rare, but seek immediate care for back pain that: Causes new bowel or bladder problems. Is accompanied by a fever.
Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)
You might be referred to a specialist in bones and joints, known as a rheumatologist, or an orthopedic surgeon.
The Fortin finger test can help examiners determine whether the patient is experiencing SI pain or pain as a result of another lower back issue. During the Fortin finger test, the examiner asks the patient to point to the exact spot where they are experiencing the most pain.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
Watch for these joint symptoms.
Your doctor can diagnose you with sacroiliitis by doing a physical examination, asking you about your symptoms and medical history, ordering tests, asking you to move in different ways, and by injecting numbing solution into your joint to see if it makes your pain disappear.
Here's a list of seven symptoms that call for attention.
Many factors can cause lower back pain when standing up from a sitting position, including spinal stenosis, annular tears, ligament strains, etc. Mild lower back pain isn't something to worry about, as it can be treated with some at-home remedies. However, in severe cases, you may need proper clinical treatment.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Green tea
There's a reason green tea is considered one of the healthiest drinks. It contains polyphenols (like epigallocatechin gallate) and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. Green tea can also help with weight management, which is another strategy to help manage back pain.
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency can cause or worsen neck and back pain and muscle spasm.
The "Big 3" for lower back pain, developed by spine biomechanics expert Dr. Stuart McGill, are core-stabilizing exercises: the Curl-Up, Side Plank (Side Bridge), and Bird-Dog, designed to build core strength and endurance without excessive spinal stress, helping reduce pain and improve function. They focus on creating a stable "spine bridge" by engaging abdominals, obliques, and back muscles to protect the spine during movement.
Arthritis frequently affects the low back and the sacroiliac joint, which connects the base of the spine to the hip joint. Often arthritis pain can mimic low-back or buttock pain.
The piriformis test is used to screen the piriformis muscle and to detect tightness of the muscle or other discomforts of the sciatic nerve as it passes through or under the Piriformis muscle. Because this is a muscle and neurological test.
Deep gluteal syndrome is a relatively new term used to describe a few different causes of pain in this area. Most commonly, it is referring to nerve entrapment in the buttock area that is not coming from the spine. There are various muscles in the region of the buttocks.