Managing Gluteus Maximus Pain and Inflammation [Video]

Individuals dealing with pain in the buttocks can make life difficult to sit, walk, or perform simple, everyday tasks. Can understanding the anatomy, location, and function of the gluteus maximus muscle help in muscle rehabilitation and avoid potential injuries?

Gluteus Maximus

The gluteus maximus is the largest human body muscle responsible for hip extension, external rotation, adduction, and abduction, as well as the ability to stand upright.  The primary muscle extends laterally and keeps the body upright by supporting the bony pelvis and trunk. (Neto W. K. et al., 2020) When the gluteus maximus is strained, injured, or weak, it can lead to pain and inflammation.

Common symptoms can include:

• Stiffness in the buttock
• Discomfort while sitting
• Difficulty standing up from sitting
• Difficulty bending over
• Pain when walking, especially upstairs or on a hill
• Pain in the lower back and/or tailbone

Anatomy and Structure

The muscles that comprise the glutes are the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The …