hi dr. joshua, i have been having this mild burning sensation in my left buttocks area, it feels like its coming from really deep, like where the leg joins the pelvis area, to explain it, it almost feels like its coming from the genitalia area, not outside but inside like the prostate area, when i have to urinate or having a bowel movement the mild burning sensation is more noticable, after i use the bathroom it subsides for a little bit and the comes back, also when i am active, like walking or running or moving around i dont feel it, i feel it mostly when im sitting, by the way i am a truck driver, i have no problems urinating, no burning or anything, and sometimes i have some tingling in my left leg and foot, like i said, it is real mild, something i can live with, but does concern me since it is constant. i had a vasectomy 5 years ago, if that helps any.

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Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

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This could be caused by one of many many things and it’s very hard to tell without a clinical examination. But, as usual, I’ll take a stab at guessing what it could be. The burning sensation could be a sign of prostate gland irritation. Hot baths would ease the sensation in that case. It could also be bladder irritation. A bladder infection, for instance. Why it would radiate to the buttock area is beyond me. Radiating pain in the buttock and tingling in the leg and foot could, on the other hand, be caused by a herniated disc in the lower back, or other lower back problem causing nerve root irritation. The localization of the symptoms also suggests the possibility of rectal involvement. A hernia is another possibility (inguinal).

Since this is a persisting symptom, I do recommend that you see a doctor. A clinical examination is needed, including prostate examination. The diagnosis may then be apparent, or the doctor may or may not then recommend a urinalysis, lab tests such as PSA, a rectal examination (proctoscopy), x-rays or other imaging of the spine. Like I said, it could be one of many things, or it could be nothing at all - but I think the symptoms definitely justify making an appointment.