Muscle · Hip · Gluteal muscles
Glutes pain
Common at this spot
Ordered by how common, not by search volume.
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Piriformis syndrome
Deep buttock pain with tingling running down the back of the leg
Get help right away ifGet medical help right away if you have sudden severe pain in the low back or leg with weakness or numbness, if you cannot control your foot, or if you cannot control your bladder or bowels.
Why it happens
The piriformis muscle deep in the buttock presses on the sciatic nerve that runs beneath it. It comes from sitting for long periods, overdoing exercise, or repeating the same motion such as running or walking. Climbing stairs, lifting heavy things, a car accident, a fall, or a sudden twist of the hip can also cause it.
How it feels
- Tenderness or a dull ache in the buttock
- Numbness or tingling down the buttock and back of the leg
- Trouble sitting, and pain that grows the longer you sit
- Worse with activity
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if the pain lasts more than a few weeks, or if it started after an accident.
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Trochanteric bursitis
Lying on that side hurts at the outer hip and breaks your sleep
Get help right away ifSee a doctor if you have a high temperature or feel shivery — that can mean infection.
Why it happens
The fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint becomes painful and swollen. It happens mostly at the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee — here, at the outside of the hip.
How it feels
- A dull, constant ache
- Swelling and tenderness
- Worse when you move it or press on it
- The area feels warm and looks red
How long it usually lasts
It usually goes away in a few weeks.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if it has not improved after 1 to 2 weeks of self-care or is getting worse, if you cannot move the joint, or if the pain is severe and sharp.
Source: NHS (UK)
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Gluteal injury
The buttock feels raw and weak on squats or stairs
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Gluteus medius tendinopathy
The outer hip feels raw when standing on one leg or walking
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Deep gluteal syndrome
Tingling and pulling from deep in the buttock down the back of the leg