The Sign of the Buttock is indicative of which possibilities?

• A. Tumor or ischial bursitis
• B. IT band syndrome
• C. Hip osteoarthritis
• D. ACL injury

Answer: (A)

This sign looks for deep buttock or ischiogluteal region pathology rather than problems inside the hip joint or knee. When the buttock sign is present, deep buttock processes—classically a tumor in the buttock or ischiogluteal bursitis—cause pain or restricted hip motion that cannot be fully explained by intra-articular hip disease or by problems in the knee. The mass effect or inflammatory process in the posterior hip region irritates structures behind the gluteal muscles, producing deep buttock pain with hip movements that stands apart from typical hip joint issues.

The other conditions listed involve tissues or joints outside that deep buttock region and tend to produce pain patterns and exam findings linked to the knee or lateral hip rather than the buttock itself, so they don’t usually give the buttock sign.