Buttock, outer thigh pain

[Dave79]

I am a 40 year old male that went from trying to stay fit by either working out in my home gym or travelling for work and working out in hotel/private gyms for a few years. Then, my wife and I started having babies and I stopped travelling (management/desk job) and very little working out.

I have some pain in the upper right side of my buttocks. Also, pain (sore to the touch) in the entire outside of my rt thigh. That pain starts around the tuberosity of the femur and goes down to just above the knee. I thought that pain was a sore IT band but my doctor keeps telling me that if I had an IT band issue then the pain would be at the outer knee joint. I did have an MRI of the lumbar area which shows a bulging disc at L5. Xrays of the area were negative. Recently, an MRI was done on the pelvis which showed mild tendonitis of the rt hamstring but did not show any issue with the IT band (I don't think the MRI captured that area). No signs of bursitis or arthritis with that MRI either. I do not have ANY pain in my low back. I do not have any tingling, numbness.

I have tried many stretches of the low back...hamstrings are so tight I have my 5 year old pushing lightly on my back to stretch further. I have been trying the IT band stretch where my legs are crossed while bending over. That has showed some relief for a short while.

I have tried all kinds of oral NSAIDS, including specifics for arthritis but no relief. I did have 2 steroid injections in my lower spine without major relief. I recently started using Voltaren topical cream on my outer thigh with great success however the pain returns.

I drive a company vehicle (Pickup truck) and the spot on the seat where the seat cushion bends upward around my outer buttocks and outer thigh is so uncomfortable on the right side. I have tried gel seat cushions for folks in wheel chairs, small pillows or even a cushion from a dining room chair - again no major relief.

My doctor first believed that my problems were directly caused by the bulging disc. But when I explained to him the pain in the outer thigh, he became unsure. Obviously, that has left me unsure. I am just puzzled by the outer thigh pain and how sore it is just by running my finger down the out edge of my thigh. I am not convinced that my bulging disc is causing my pain.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[Heidi]

Hi
The disc may or may not be contributing to the pain. It may be that where the disc is protruding onto the nerve this is sending pain into the buttock and outer thigh.

However, like you said it could be caused by something else. The best thing I think is to visit a sports injury specialist who specialises in exercise rehabilitation and sports massage. They could assess you for muscle imbalances and postural problems which may be causing the pain. A common combination is tight hamstrings and weak buttocks (especially gluteus medius). Trigger points in the buttocks could also be a problem which can radiate pain into the legs. This can be eased with massage:

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

I would recommend sports massage to the hamstrings, buttocks and thigh including ITB, as well as correction of any muscle imbalances using stretching and strengthening exercises.

[Dave79]

Thanks for the direction Heidi. I have been thinking about massage. I will probably give it a try along with the stretching, etc.

[Dave79]

Heidi: Just curious...but do you know what tests would show if my pain stems from the sciatic nerve/disc issue??

[Heidi]

Hi

Do you know where the disc prolapse is? For example they usually describe it by the vertebrae above and below, e.g. L3/4, L4/5 or L5/S1 (these are the most common).

The higher the prolapse the more likely the pain is coming from the back. L3/4 in particular radiates pain on the outside of the hip and thigh.

Usually if the disc is the problem there would be back pain, although this does not occur in 100% of cases.
If the back is involved, pain is most frequent on bending forwards, coughing, sneezing and sitting, whereas laying down usually eases pain.
You can find some more symptoms of this here:

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

[Darren_H]

It is usually quite easy to differentiate between leg pain originating from the lumbar spine (low back) and leg pain produced by the IT band. Did your GP do any hands on testing? Check your range of motion? Anything? He/She should be able to tell pretty easily with a quick examination where the pain is coming from. Go and see a physio/chiro and they will likely be able to get you on the right track.

[sunnysak]

I've a similar kind of problem but on my left side. Dr. has ordered me to a Lumbar MRI today. now I am thinking if I ask for Pelvis too.

My pain is on left Buttock running on "Front Thigh" till above knee. Especially it hurts more when I am sleeping and sitting.

any tips please?

[NetballCoach]

Hi I also have similar pain, I first felt it after doing about 5 minutes of rowing at the gym. When I got off the machine I had the massive pain in my hip and I was limping. I ignored and and continued training but found that each time I used the rowing machine it's worse again.

I have now stopped the rowing altogether but still have this dull ache running from my buttocks down me entire femur to the knee. It's not a muscular pain, it feels like it's in the bone. It aches when I am sitting and I haven't had a full nights sleep in almost 7 weeks because I can't find a comfortable position. I have also found that I can't sit cross legged because when I rotate the sore leg/hip(right), outwards it is unbearable. when I get up after sitting for a while I limp until it warms up.

I've stopped running and now only walk and cycle or orbatrack, and I use the circuit.

Netball season started for us this week so I don't have time for down time?

What to do?

[Heidi]

Try stretching your butt muscles, inparticular piriformis. This muscle may be tight and impinging on your sciatic nerve resulting in pain down the back of the leg. This would be my first port of call.
Sports massage is always great at releasing this muscle too. Myofascial release with a foam roller can be helpful too.
You can read more here: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/piriformis.htm