Ischiogluteal Bursitis

Written by Tele Demetrious

Updated: 3 March 2022

(Also known as Ischial Bursitis)

What is ischiogluteal bursitis?

Ischiogluteal bursitis is a condition that causes pain in the buttock and is characterized by tissue damage and inflammation to the ischiogluteal bursa. A bursa is a small sac filled with lubricating fluid and is designed to reduce friction between adjacent soft tissue layers. The ischiogluteal bursa is located at the base of the pelvis, at the level of the bony prominence known as the ischial tuberosity (figure 1).

The hamstring muscles originate from the pelvis (ischial tuberosity) and insert into the top of the lower leg bones. The hamstring muscles attach to the pelvis via the hamstring tendon (figure 2). The ischiogluteal bursa lies between the hamstring tendon and the pelvic bone (ischial tuberosity).

The hamstring muscles are responsible for bending the knee and straightening the hip during activity and are particularly active during running, jumping and kicking. During contraction of the hamstrings, tension is placed through the hamstring tendon which in turn places friction on the ischiogluteal bursa. Pressure may also be placed on the ischiogluteal bursa during sitting. When these forces are excessive due to too much repetition or high force, irritation and inflammation of the ischiogluteal bursa may occur. This condition is known as an ischiogluteal bursitis.

Causes of ischiogluteal bursitis

Ischiogluteal bursitis most commonly occurs due to repetitive or prolonged activities placing strain on the ischiogluteal bursa. This typically occurs due to prolonged sitting (particularly on hard surfaces) or due to repetitive running, jumping or kicking activities (placing strain on the ischiogluteal bursa via the hamstring tendon). Occasionally, patients may develop this condition suddenly following a direct blow to the ischiogluteal bursa. This may occur due to a fall onto a hard surface.

Signs and symptoms of ischiogluteal bursitis

Patients with ischiogluteal bursitis typically experience pain in the lower buttock. In less severe cases, patients may only experience an ache or stiffness in the buttock that increases with rest following activities placing strain on the ischiogluteal bursa. These activities typically include sitting excessively (especially on hard surfaces), walking, running, jumping, kicking or climbing stairs. The pain associated with ischiogluteal bursitis may also warm up with activity in the initial stages of the condition.

As the condition progresses, patients may experience sharper or more severe symptoms that increase during sport or activity, affecting performance. Patients frequently experience pain on firmly touching the ischiogluteal bursa and hamstring tendon (figure 2). Occasionally, a feeling of lower limb weakness may also be present particularly when attempting to accelerate whilst running.

Diagnosis of ischiogluteal bursitis

A thorough subjective and objective examination from a physiotherapist may be sufficient to diagnose ischiogluteal bursitis. Further investigations such as an Ultrasound, X-ray, CT or MRI scan are often required to assist with diagnosis and assess the severity of the condition.

Treatment for ischiogluteal bursitis

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Prognosis of ischiogluteal bursitis

Most patients with this condition heal well with appropriate physiotherapy and return to normal function in a number of weeks. Occasionally, rehabilitation can take significantly longer and may take many months in those who have had their condition for a long period of time. Early physiotherapy treatment is vital to hasten recovery in all patients with ischiogluteal bursitis.

Contributing factors to the development of ischiogluteal bursitis

There are several factors which can predispose patients to developing this condition. These need to be assessed and corrected with direction from a physiotherapist. Some of these factors include:

• joint stiffness (particularly the hip)
• muscle tightness (particularly the hamstrings and gluteals)
• inappropriate or excessive training
• muscle weakness (especially the hamstrings and gluteals)
• inadequate warm up
• poor biomechanics (e.g. excessive stride length)
• poor core stability
• neural tightness
• leg length discrepancy
• inadequate rehabilitation following a previous buttock injury

Physiotherapy for ischiogluteal bursitis

Physiotherapy treatment is vital to hasten the healing process, ensure an optimal outcome and reduce the likelihood of injury recurrence. Treatment may comprise:

• soft tissue massage
• electrotherapy (e.g. ultrasound)
• stretches
• joint mobilization
• dry needling
• the use of crutches
• ice or heat treatment
• exercises to improve strength, flexibility and core stability
• correction of abnormal biomechanics
• education
• anti-inflammatory advice
• activity modification advice
• a gradual return to activity program

Other intervention for ischiogluteal bursitis

Despite appropriate physiotherapy management, some patients with this condition do not improve adequately. When this occurs the treating physiotherapist or doctor will advise on the best course of management. This may include further investigations such as X-rays, ultrasound, MRI or CT scan, pharmaceutical intervention, corticosteroid injection, draining of the bursa or referral to appropriate medical authorities who will advise on any interventions that may be appropriate to improve the condition.

Exercises for ischiogluteal bursitis

The following exercises are commonly prescribed to patients with this condition. You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Generally, they should be performed 2 – 3 times daily and only provided they do not cause or increase symptoms.

Your physiotherapist can advise when it is appropriate to begin the initial exercises and eventually progress to the intermediate and advanced exercises. As a general rule, addition of exercises or progression to more advanced exercises should take place provided there is no increase in symptoms.

Initial Exercises

Hamstring Stretch

Begin this exercise with your foot on a step or chair. Keeping your knee and back straight, slowly lean forward at your hips until you feel a stretch in the back of your thigh, knee or buttock (figure 3). Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 4 times at a mild to moderate stretch provided the exercise is pain free.

Gluteal Stretch

Begin lying on your back (figure 4). Using your hands, take your knee towards your opposite shoulder until you feel a stretch in the buttocks or front of your hip. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 4 times at a mild to moderate stretch provided the exercise is pain free.

Intermediate Exercises

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Advanced Exercises

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Other Exercises

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Rehabilitation Protocol for ischiogluteal bursitis

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Become a PhysioAdvisor Member and gain full access to our complete Injury Database. Our experienced physiotherapists are updating PhysioAdvisor’s injury articles to include the most important information to help users take control of their injury and hasten their recovery. Updated sections include detailed information on: Treatment, Intermediate & Advanced Exercises and a step by step Rehabilitation Protocol for each updated injury article – ensuring you have the tools to take control of your injury and save money on expensive physiotherapy consultations.

Physiotherapy products for ischiogluteal bursitis

Some of the most commonly recommended products by physiotherapists to hasten healing and speed recovery in patients with this condition include:

To purchase physiotherapy products for ischiogluteal bursitis click on one of the above links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.

Find a Physio for ischiogluteal bursitis

Find a physiotherapist in your local area who can treat this condition.

 More Physiotherapy Information

• Hamstring Stretches.
• Hamstring Strengthening Exercises.
• Gluteal Stretches.
• Gluteal Strengthening Exercises.
• Core Stability Exercises.
• How to use Crutches.
• R.I.C.E. Regime.
• Ice or Heat.
• Why is my injury not improving?
• View a Return to Running Program that is often used in rehabilitation.
• View the Buttock Pain Diagnosis Guide.

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