10 Piriformis Syndrome Symptoms
Piriformis syndrome is caused by the abnormal condition of the piriformis muscle resulting in peripheral neuritis of the sciatic nerve. This means that the symptoms experienced are due to the compression of the sciatic nerve around the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome is often misdiagnosed or unrecognized in clinical settings. It is commonly misdiagnosed as sciatica, intervertebral discitis, primary sacral dysfunction, or lumbar radiculopathy. It has even been estimated that a minimum of six percent of patients diagnosed with low back pain have piriformis syndrome.
Causes of piriformis syndrome include spasms of the piriformis muscle, trauma to the gluteal muscle, overuse injury, and anatomical variation. The diagnosis of piriformis syndrome is difficult as there is no standardized or definitive test. However, there are some physical exam maneuvers that can help support the diagnosis. Diagnosis of piriformis syndrome is important as a delay in diagnosis can result in chronic somatic dysfunction, pathologic conditions of the sciatic nerve, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, and muscle weakness. However, it can be challenging for physicians to recognize symptoms unique to piriformis syndrome.
The treatment of piriformis syndrome involves avoiding triggers, physiotherapy, stretching, the use of medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the injection of botulinum toxin or steroid. This condition is most commonly seen in the fourth to fifth decades of life. It has been observed to affect all individuals regardless of activity levels or occupation. However, it is more common in women and this has been attributed to the biomechanics of the wider quadriceps femoris muscle angle in the pelvis of women.
