A strained gluteal muscle is a partial tear of the small fibers of the gluteal muscles. The gluteal muscles are a group of three muscles located in the buttocks.

Causes

A gluteal strain can be caused by:

• Stretching the gluteal muscles beyond the amount of tension that they can withstand

• Suddenly putting stress on the gluteal muscles when they are not ready for the stress

• Using the gluteal muscles too much on a certain day

• A direct blow to the gluteal muscles

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting an injury. Risk factors for a gluteal strain include:

• Participation in sports that require bursts of speed, such as:

• • Running

• • Hurdles

• • Long jump

• • Basketball

• • Soccer

• • Football

• • Rugby

• Fatigue

• Tight gluteal muscles

• Overexertion

• Cold weather

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Pain and tenderness in the buttocks

• Stiffness in the gluteal muscles

• Weakness of the gluteal muscles

• Bruising on the buttocks (if blood vessels are broken)

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, your recent physical activity, and how the injury occurred. The doctor will also examine your buttocks for:

• Tenderness and bruising

• Pain when contracting the gluteal muscles, particularly against resistance

Muscle strains are graded according to their severity:

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the strain.

Treatment usually includes:

Rest–Do not do activities that cause pain, such as running, jumping, and weightlifting using the leg, hip, and buttocks muscles. If normal walking hurts, shorten your stride. Do not play sports until the pain is gone.

Cold–Apply ice or a cold pack to the affected buttock for 15 to 20 minutes, 4 times a day, for several days after the injury. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.

Pain Relief Medications–Take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help relieve pain. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about using these medications. If you still have tenderness in the buttocks while taking these drugs, do not return to physical activity. First, check with your doctor before returning to activity.

Heat–Apply heat to the affected buttock only when you are returning to physical activity. Then use it before stretching or getting ready to play sports.

Stretching–When the acute pain is gone, start gentle stretching as recommended by a health care professional. Stay within pain limits. Hold each stretch for about 10 seconds and repeat 6 times. Stretch several times each day.

Strengthening–Begin strengthening exercises for your gluteal muscles as recommended by a health care professional.

Prevention

To reduce the chance that you will strain a gluteal muscle:

• Keep your gluteal muscles strong so they can absorb the energy of sudden physical stress.

• After a short warm-up period, stretch your gluteal muscles before physical activity.

• Learn the proper technique for exercise and sporting activities. This will decrease stress on all your muscles, including your gluteal muscles.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org

American Council on Exercise
http://www.acefitness.org

References:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aaos.org/.

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine website. Available at: http://www.sportsmed.org/.

Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma Available at: http://www.nismat.org/.

Sports Injuries: Basic Principles of Prevention and Care. Blackwell Scientific Publications; 1993.