The term dead butt syndrome, or sleeping butt syndrome, may sound comical, but it is a very common medical condition that, if not taken seriously and remedied correctly, can lead to serious problems resulting in severe pain and mobility issues. The technical terms for this condition are gluteus medius tendinopathy or gluteal amnesia. As the word amnesia suggests, the condition occurs when the gluteal muscles forget their main function – that of supporting the pelvis and maintaining proper body alignment. The condition arises when a person spends long hours sitting down without intervals of standing up and moving around. This is common among those who spend long hours working at a desk, on a computer, or watching TV.
When you spend long hours sitting still with no movement, the continuous pressure that is placed on the muscles in your buttocks makes them sore and numb. If the condition is not treated, it can lead to pain and soreness in other parts of the body. Pain in the lower back, hips, and knees is frequently the result of dead butt syndrome. Shooting pain in one or both legs (similar to the pain of sciatica) is another common result. If the condition remains untreated for any length of time, the gluteal muscles in the buttocks may become weak. If one hip is more affected than the other, putting pressure there, such as by lying down on that side, may cause serious pain. Inflammation of one or both hip joints may also be caused by dead butt syndrome.
The cause is simple – a sedentary lifestyle involving a great deal of sitting down and not enough exercise and movement. In such a situation, the gluteal muscles become longer and the hip flexors, the muscles that run from the lower back to the front of the thighs, become tight, unable to flex. The hip flexors control the movement of the legs when walking, running, or climbing stairs. Any sudden movement, such as a fast walk after a long period of sitting, can cause an episode of sleeping butt syndrome if the muscles are not stretched before beginning the exercise. Interestingly, those who do a lot of running or jogging and then spend long hours sitting are also at risk of dead butt syndrome as the muscles are subjected to two extreme conditions that conflict with each other.
The treatment of sleeping butt syndrome is following the RICE protocol:
Physical therapy and/or massage may also be prescribed by the doctor if the condition is severe. If the muscles and tendons have sustained a serious injury, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may be advised. An orthopedist, a doctor specializing in bone and muscle problems, would be the right source for any information on the condition and its treatment.
Prevention of dead butt syndrome is simple – do not sit for long periods. Stand up and walk around briskly for a few minutes. Try to use the stairs instead of the lift as this will help to strengthen the muscles in the buttocks. Exercising is also important. Ask your orthopedist for advice on the right exercises to be followed and any other prevention technique that will stop this condition from emerging.
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