What is Piriformis Syndrome?

It is a clinical condition that occurs as a result of the pressure of the piriformis muscle in the hip on the adjacent sciatic nerve.

• It can cause many diseases with many symptoms, especially herniated disc.

• The piriformis muscle is located on the hip and helps the hip to move sideways, thus helping walking and balance.

• Muscle spasm in the piriformis muscle can compress the sciatic nerve and Pain, numbness and tingling occur in the hip, thigh and leg due to sciatic nerve compression.

• It is more common in women than men.

Causes of Piriformis Syndrome

• Injuries

• Fall

• Traffic accidents

• Sudden movements of the hip may damage the piriformis muscle

• Excessive exercises to the piriformis muscle

• Inactivity

• Sitting on hard ground for a long time

• Carrying heavy objects

• Spine curvatures

• Surgeries in and around the hip area

Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome

• Pain that increases with standing, lying and sitting for long periods of time

• Weakness in the legs,

• Difficulty sitting

• Difficulty walking

• Walking with a limp

• Increasing at rest and pain that decreases with movement

• Pain that occurs when standing up from a sitting position

• Pain in the hip and coccyx

• Pain, numbness and tingling radiating towards the back of the leg

• In advanced cases, it may present clinically as weakness in the leg muscles and night pain.

How is Piriformis Syndrome Diagnosed?

Since herniated disc and sciatica mimic pain, it is necessary to make the differential diagnosis of these diseases.

It is necessary to question the history very well in the diagnosis. It is necessary to carefully evaluate whether there is a history of trauma or strain.

Afterwards, a thorough examination and a special test for the piriformis muscle are required. It is necessary to do some things.

Imaging methods can be used especially for differential diagnosis. However, usually nothing can be detected in imaging methods in piriformis syndrome.

Rarely, the structure of the sciatic nerve and piriformis muscle can be evaluated with MRI imaging.

Treatment of Piriformis Syndrome

• Painkillers and muscle relaxants can be used for a period of 2 weeks

• Physical therapy methods and injection treatment methods can be used in cases resistant to medical treatment

• Of the Physical Therapy methods, ultrasound, high-intensity laser therapy, magnetic field therapy and most importantly, stretching exercises for the piriformis muscle are recommended.

 

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