Buttock, hip, hip flexor, hamstring pain.

[Lapo]

I experience a dull ache or a sort of burning feeling in my left buttock after running. Sometimes this is only in the hip flexor, sometimes only the hamstring, somtimes only the buttock, sometimes all 3 but mainly the buttock.

It has gone on for the last 5 years now, ive had numerous physio visits, tried core strengthening and glute med training from these visits to no avail. I have laid off running for spells of 6 months to 2 weeks and it always returns.

Fortunately running(the main cause) is only to compliment my Thai Boxing training when I have a fight coming up and to stay fit for my career in The Fire Service so is not my main sport, however, running is essential for both.

Some of the symptoms are a slight 'snapping' feeling on the outside of my left hip when running, also if I sit in a chair and tense my left buttock (all pain is always left side only) something snaps into place it seems between my hip and coxix area. If I stretch after a run it is worse and also if I sit down within a few hours.

Four years ago, for about two years it was mainly my hamstring and glute, one year ago it was my hip flexor, now its just my buttock/hip. Im sure its the same injury causeing all of this around my left hip area, I havent a clue what it is but it really is quite literall a pain in the ass.

If anyone knows of anything similar, please post it.

[Heidi]

Hi

I think it is all related and my guess would be sciatic related. Compression on the sciatic nerve can cause pain in the buttock, hamstrings, calves and front of the hip.

The issue is, finding out what is compressing the nerve. The most common thing in runners that I have seen is Piriformis tightness. This is a muscle deep in the buttock.

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/piriformis.htm

The difficulty if this is the case is working out why the piriformis is tightening and compressing the nerve. It is sometimes due to hip abductor weakness, or may be more structural (e.g. misaligned pelvis / leg length difference) or biomechanical (e.g. overpronation)

Have you had a full biomechanical assessment? If not this is the way forward

Good luck!