What is piriformis syndrome?
The piriformis muscle lies in the lower buttocks area between the sacrum and hip. The sciatic nerve runs below or through the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome will mimic sciatica. With piriformis syndrome, there is no weakness or numbness. Piriformis syndrome is typically caused by an injury to the piriformis muscle and often does result in irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs near it. It is typically treated with anti-inflammatories, stretching exercises, and sometime massage techniques such as sitting with a tennis ball underneath the affected area. Resistant problems can be treated with steroid injections, sometimes Botox injections, and /or even surgical resection of the piriformis muscle.
The piriformis muscle is located in part behind the joint of the hip. In piriformis syndrome it is thought this muscle may cause compression on the sciatic nerve, though there is some scientific argument regarding whether this is the root cause of the syndrome. What occurs though, as a result of creating compression on the sciatic nerve is that the sciatic nerve becomes extremely irritated resulting in pain or tingling in the buttocks. This pain may occasionally be felt in the lower back, or down the thigh and it may be especially noticeable if you are seated or climbing up stairs. People who have piriformis syndrome have sciatica, though the syndrome is just one cause, and again there are several theories as to why some people seem affected by the condition and others don’t. Some scientists believe the condition might be caused by overuse, or that it may be caused by common variations in the way the sciatic nerve and the piriformis muscle cross. There are plenty of theories but few kn
Piriformis syndrome is a rare neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve-the largest nerve in the body. The piriformis muscle is a narrow muscle located in the buttocks. Compression of the sciatic nerve causes pain-frequently described as tingling or numbness-in the buttocks and along the nerve, often down to the leg. The pain may worsen as a result of sitting for a long period of time, climbing stairs, walking, or running.
