Gluteal Muscle Injection
Why do I need a gluteal muscle injection?
The gluteal muscles are strong muscles located at the back of the pelvis building up the buttock. The gluteals mainly comprise of three major muscles they are: Gluteus minimus, Gluteus medius and Gluteus maximus.
One of the most common causes of buttock pain is myofascial pain, which is characterised by pain starting from tight bands of muscle or knots in the gluteal muscles. Sometimes this gluteal muscle pain may radiate to thigh, calf or foot. Injection of local anaesthetic into these muscles will release the tight bands inside the muscles and reduce the pain.
How is gluteal muscle injection performed? What are the complications?
Gluteal muscle injection is done under ultrasound guidance on a day surgery basis. In the procedure room you will be asked to lie on your tummy and muscle is identified using an ultrasound. The most painful spot is then identified and an injection is performed with a fine needle. These trigger point injections should be followed by daily stretching exercises to get a long-term benefit.
Injection site pain/soreness is the most common complication, which is self-limiting. Other complications like bleeding and infection are very rare.
Please read our FAQ section to know more about the do's and don'ts prior to and after the procedure.