Associated symptoms
The leading symptom of most causal complaints is pain. However, it can manifest itself in many different ways. In order to narrow down the possible cause, it is also important to know whether the pain is dull, stabbing, pulling or burning and whether it can be triggered by movement or whether it spreads to other parts of the body.
The exact circumstances of the pain can vary, including the time of the pain and accompanying symptoms. Depending on the cause, further symptoms may follow. Muscle pain is predominantly described as a stabbing pain diffuse in the muscle during activities such as climbing stairs.
If the cause is in the hip area, stabbing pain can occur on the side when walking, lying down and other postures. Pain originating in the back can also lead to blockages, pain transmission, tingling in the legs, numbness and even paralysis. Blockages manifest themselves in extreme, sudden pain, during certain movements.
In some patients who suffer from pain in the buttock on the left side, the pain can be transmitted and radiate. This indicates the involvement of a nerve. From the lumbar spine, nerve bundles run across the buttocks and into the legs, where they supply the muscles with motor energy and the skin of the leg with sensitive information.
If these nerves are impaired by high pressure in the pelvis or entrapment, functional limitations and failures along these nerve cords may occur. As a result, typical formication, tingling, pain and numbness of the legs, feet and toes can occur. Occasionally, paralysis can even occur.
The irritation of the nerve can occur on the spine itself or in the course of the buttocks. Common causes are herniated discs and ISG blockages in the spine. Sciatica irritation can occur in the buttocks, for example also in the context of the so-called “Piriformis syndrome“.
The majority of all adults suffer from back pain from time to time or permanently. Especially the lumbar spine, which is located in the deep hollow back above the buttocks, is often affected by pain. The causes of back pain can be different.Behind this, there does not always have to be a slipped disc or a disease of the disc.
Over the years, permanent or incorrect strain can lead to wear and tear of the vertebral joints. Blockages of the vertebral joints or the sacroiliac joint are also conceivable. In this context, diffuse pain in the back can occur, which radiates into the buttock.
The therapy of this diffuse back pain is often difficult, since the exact cause of the back pain is often not recognized. A healthy amount of exercise and strengthening of the back muscles helps to prevent back pain. Physiotherapy and muscle building also play an important role in the therapy of existing pain.
In rare cases, operations may also become necessary. The pain, which is often described above the left buttock, is very typical for irritation of the sciatic nerve. In this area, the sciatic nerve extends from the spine towards the legs.
The site of the irritation can often be located above the buttock, which is where the main pain is located, which can extend through the buttock to the legs. The irritation of the sciatica can have various causes. It is easy to confuse the pain above the left buttock with muscle pain that comes from the back.
There are large muscles over the entire back that can pull, cramp and harden. This type of muscle pain usually subsides within a few days. A pain in the buttocks, which occurs on both sides, initially makes one think of a muscular problem.
If the muscles are subjected to additional strain, for example during a newly started sport, muscle pain can also occur on both sides due to the unaccustomed strain. In some cases, hardening, tension and strains of the musculature can also occur on both sides. However, nerve irritations that occur on both sides are extremely rare.
Even a pain that originates in the back rarely radiates equally in both directions. If the pain extends from the buttock to the anus, diseases of the last section of the intestine can also be behind it. Many people are affected by itching, pain or other complaints of the anus, but most of them do not go to a doctor out of false shame.
Causes can include haemorrhoids, rashes, inflammation of the bowel, injuries, fissures or infections. Especially if the pain is aggravated during bowel movement or if there is blood in the stool, a disease of the lower part of the intestine is obvious and a doctor should definitely be consulted. Pain in the buttock on the left side can be triggered by various mechanisms after sport.
The gluteus muscles (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus) are most frequently affected. A sudden movement during sport can cause a pulled muscle or a torn muscle fibre. The resulting pain is best treated by physical rest and usually disappears after a few days or weeks.
Overloading of the gluteal muscles can also result from sport. The treatment of these complaints usually takes more time, as the permanently damaged muscles can only recover slowly. During sports, small muscles in the pelvis can also be affected. These irritate the nerves that supply the left buttock and thus lead to an electrifying pain in the left buttock.