The piriformis is a small muscle in the hip that helps rotate the leg. The piriformis muscle is involved with a condition known as piriformis syndrome, in which minor differences in the leg's anatomy causes the muscle to put pressure on nearby nerves. In extreme cases, piriformis syndrome can lead to debilitating and extreme pain.
Identification
Piriformis syndrome, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is a condition caused by the piriformis muscle pressing on a large nerve called the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve supplies nerve signals through most of the lower body. If the piriformis muscle is pressing on this nerve, it can lead to compression and inflammation, also known as sciatica.
Symptoms
SportsInjuryClinic.net explains that the symptoms of piriformis syndrome typically involve a pain that shoots down from the buttocks and continues along the back of the leg. This pain usually localizes to the hamstrings, so it can be easily confused with a pulled or strained hamstring. Patients may also experience some loss of their range of motion in the affected hip.
Causes
Eorthopod.com says two main things can cause piriformis syndrome. The first is spasm of the piriformis muscle. This aberrant muscle contraction can cause the muscle to tighten around the sciatic nerve, leading to irritation and inflammation. Second, a fall on the buttocks can cause a pocket of internal bleeding (a hematoma) to develop. This can cause swelling and push the piriformis muscle into the sciatic nerve.
Self-Care
One of the main ways a person can treat piriformis syndrome without seeing a doctor, according to SportsInjuryClinic.net, is to apply heat to the buttocks region. Patients should also work to stretch the muscles in the buttocks and hips to help relieve the spasm and inflammation. Patients should also rest the affected leg as much as possible. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen and aspirin) can be bought over the counter and help to relieve the pain and swelling associated with piriformis syndrome.
Advanced Treatments
For patients with more severe pain, injections of either anesthetics or corticosteroids can be used to treat piriformis syndrome. Anesthetics help numb the sciatic nerve, relieving the pain, whereas corticosteroids are powerful compounds that can reduce inflammation around the nerve. For very severe cases, a surgeon may either cut the tendon of the piriformis or sever the muscle itself to keep it from pressing on the sciatic nerve.
