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Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is commonly seen after a compression injury or muscle strain in the back or lower extremities. Caused by interaction between the piriformis muscle and the sciatic nerve, the condition can be characterized by a loss of feeling or intense pain in the legs and lower back. The condition is easily confused with other neurological conditions, and it's necessary to test for these before diagnosis, since no reliable test exists with which to confirm Piriformis.

  1. Difficulty Sitting

    • Piriformis causes dull, throbbing pains in the buttocks. Those who sit for long periods of time may find it uncomfortable to do so with Piriformis syndrome.

    Numbness

    • Because the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle, numbness in the leg and even the buttocks is common. The nerve is compressed, and the nerve impulses cannot travel their full length to report sensation.

    Leg Weakness

    • The sciatic nerve supplies nearly all the feeling in the legs, and when compressed, the nerve sensations cannot travel effectively to regulate the legs. This causes the legs to be weak and can be accompanied by tingling and numbness.

    Misconceptions

    • Piriformis syndrome is commonly misdiagnosed as sciatica caused by compression of the sciatic nerve by the disks of the back. It's necessary to rule out this condition in order to diagnose Piriformis accurately.

    Causes

    • Piriformis is caused by the compression or malformation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. This muscle, after an injury or fall, can lodge itself against the sciatic nerve causing Piriformis syndrome.

    Treatment

    • Piriformis syndrome, in its milder forms, is typically treated by using local anesthetic or using oral anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients who retain larger range of motion may find that stretching and flexing exercises are effective. For severe cases, the only effective treatment is invasive surgery in which the patient's muscles are physically moved away from the sciatic nerve or trimmed down to relieve the pressure.

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