Left buttock pain question

[wallyman]

I've had a pain in the left buttock for 4 months now, it was caused by to much heavy work.

I have been to a physio and a doctor but neither has been able pipoint the problem. My symtoms are; pain radiating to the left side of the buttock and sore if I pressure the area by going to the toilet or sneezing. Stretching the hamstring, one leg raised up on a bench only aggrevates the pain. I do not have any pain running down the leg.

I can get some immediate relief by massaging the muscle around the pain. I was wondering if this could be a disc related problem or a sacroiliac problem. The recovery has been very slow.

Appreciate the site and thanks for any advice Dave

[Heidi]

Hi
This could be either of the things you mentioned. Other possibilities include piriformis syndrome or myofascial trigger points in the glutes:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/piriformis.htm
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/myofascial_pain_trigger_points.htm
or even bursitis:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/ischiogluteal_bursitis.htm

Unfortunately, given the many possible conditions, and the complexity of some of them, I would be reluctant to give an opinion. I think a physio should be able be assess you and get a good idea of what is happening. It may be worth trying another for a second opinion if you were not happy with the one you have seen.

Did the pain come on gradually, or at a definate point?
Do you get any lower back pain or other symptoms such as stiffness?
If there a time of day that it is worse?

[wallyman]

Thanks for your prompt reply Heidi, just to answer your 3 questions

The pain came on after i spent a week doing heavy work around the house, so it did not come all of a sudden, probably the day after I finished the work.

I don't get any pain in the lower back or stiffness, only on the side just left of the spine.

The morning is the worst, mainly when i get out of bed I get sharp pains shooting from the buttock when I first start to walk, lifting the leg up eases it somewhat. Once I start walking it eases. When i first got this injury these shooting pains were excruciating, causing me to yell in pain each time I got up from bed or a chair. Also had to have laxatives in order to go to the toilet due to the pain.

The recovery has got to a certain point and not progressed. I'm hoping it's not a disc related problem.

Thanks Heidi, Dave

[Heidi]

Hi Dave

I am sorry but I think your problem may be beyond the scope of this forum.
If I were you I would visit another Doctor. Any symptoms which affect you going to the toilet should be looked into further.