There are quite a number of people who suffer from this condition; especially people who drive very often or long distances or people who sit for long hours. Others may suffer from this through a fall they had on their buttocks or even having been involved in a road accident. Most of the time this kind of pain is mistaken for lower back pain and many may be told they have a disc problem while they do not.
Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, located in the buttock region, spasms and causes buttock pain. The piriformis muscle can also irritate the nearby sciatic nerve and cause pain.
The piriformis muscle is a flat, band-like muscle located in the buttocks near the top of the hip joint. The muscle is important in lower body movement because it stabilizes the hip joint and lifts and rotates the thigh away from the body. This enables us to walk, shift our weight from one foot to another, and maintain balance.
The sciatic nerve is a thick and longest nerve in the body. It passes alongside or goes through the piriformis muscle, goes down the back of the leg, and eventually branches off into smaller nerves that end in the feet.
How does it occur?
The sciatic nerve travels from the back into the leg by passing through the piriformis muscle. If it is unusually tight or goes into spasm, the sciatic nerve can become inflamed or irritated. It can also be related to intense downhill running.
Piriformis Syndrome Signs and symptoms
It usually starts with pain, tingling, or numbness in the buttocks. Pain can be severe and extend down the length of the sciatic nerve. This is due to the piriformis muscle compressing the sciatic nerve, such as while sitting on a car seat or running. Pain may also be triggered while climbing stairs, applying firm pressure directly over the piriformis muscle, or sitting for long periods of time.
Diagnosis
- In most cases, there is a history of trauma to the area.
- Repetitive vigorous activity such as long-distance driving or prolonged sitting
- On physical exam you will find a contacted and tender piriformis muscle
- An MRI can rule out herniated disc.
Treatment
- Regular exercise; stretching and strengthening the piriformis muscle often helps keep the muscle from tensing up and getting spasm.
- Applying ice on the affected area especially when the pain is acute helps relieve the pain.
- Gentle Massage on the muscle can also help relieve pain during acute stage.
- Dry Needling-this goes to the trigger point of the muscle facilitating relaxation.
- Stretching once the acute pain is gone. Stretch gently by using a crossed-legged stretch while pulling up on the knee.
- Sitting on a tennis ball and rolling on a foam roller relieves tightness in the muscle.
References:
www.spine-health.com
emedicine.medscape.com
