(Pulled Gluteal Muscle)
Gluteal Strain – Definition
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 in the buttocks. This is not a common injury, but is sometimes seen in runners, dancers or other athletes.
Gluteal Strain – 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
Gluteal Strain – 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
Gluteal Strain – 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)
Gluteal Strain – 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:
Grade 1
- Stretching with some microtearing of muscle fibers
- Recovery — 2 weeks
Grade 2
- Partial tearing of muscle fibers
- Recovery — 1-2 months
Grade 3
- Complete tearing (rupture) of muscle fibers (This is rare with the gluteal muscles.)
- Recovery — more than three months
For a severe gluteal strain, you may have an MRI scan. Professional and collegiate athletes sometimes have MRI scans to predict the length of recovery.
Gluteal Strain – 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 15-20 minutes, four 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
Your doctor may recommend that you take over-the-counter medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, to help relieve pain. Topical pain medicines (eg, creams, patches) applied to the skin are another option.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about using these medications. If you still have tenderness while taking these drugs, do not return to physical activity. 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.
Rehabilitation
When the acute pain is gone, start gentle stretching and strengthening exercises as recommended by a healthcare professional. Stay within pain limits. Hold each stretch for about 10 seconds and repeat six times. Stretch several times each day.
If you are diagnosed with a gluteal muscle strain, follow your doctor’s instructions.
Gluteal Strain – 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.
