What is Sciatica Buttock Pain?

Sciatica buttock pain is a sharp, shooting pain that begins in the lower back and travels down through one leg. This condition is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest and longest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve exits the lower spine and runs through the buttocks and then down the entire length of the leg, ending in the foot.

The most common symptom of sciatica buttock pain is the sensation of burning, tingling and numbness down the back of the leg and into the foot. This pain is usually felt only on one side of the body and can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause. Sciatica is usually caused by a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, isthmic spondylolisthesis or an injury that irritates a nerve root in the lower spine where the sciatic nerve originates.

What Causes Sciatica Buttock Pain?

The most common cause of sciatica buttock pain is a herniated disc. Discs are the round cushions between each vertebrae of the spine. When one of these discs becomes damaged, it can bulge out in an abnormal way and cause pressure on the sciatic nerve roots that attach to the lower spine. This puts pressure on the nerve and can cause pain in the lower back, buttocks and down the leg.

Other causes of sciatica include degenerative disc disease, which is when the discs in the spine age and lose fluid and eventually become thin, weak and prone to rupture. Isthmic spondylolisthesis is also a cause of sciatica pain and occurs when there is a defect in one of the vertebrae that causes it to slip forward onto the vertebrae below. This can cause nerve root compression and pain.

Finally, any injury that causes swelling in the back can put pressure on a nerve root and cause sciatica buttock pain. Common injuries that can cause this type of pain include a car accident, a fall, or an athletic injury on the field or court.

How is Sciatica Buttock Pain Treated?

Most cases of sciatica buttock pain will eventually resolve on their own with enough rest and home treatment. Home treatments that may help reduce the pain include using hot or cold compresses, over-the-counter pain medications, gentle stretching and massaging the affected area.

When these home treatments do not help, or when the pain is severe, a doctor may recommend an epidural steroid injection or physical therapy to help with the pain. If the pain is still not resolved, the doctor may suggest surgery to correct the underlying cause. Surgery is rarely necessary and is usually only recommended when other treatments have failed.

No matter what the cause of your sciatica buttock pain, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the best treatment for your individual case. With the right treatment and enough rest, most people experience relief from their symptoms within a few weeks.