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Piriformis syndrome is characterized by chronic nagging pain, tingling or numbness starting at the buttocks and extending along the length of the thigh, sometimes descending to the calf. It may worsen with sitting
Rathje was diagonsed with Piriformis Syndrome in late 2006. However, a double hernia was discovered in the summer of 2007 and he had surgery to correct it. He is confident that he can make a return to action for the 2007-2008 season.
The condition is caused by the irritation or compression of the proximal sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, which connects the sciatic notch with the greater trochanter of the femur
355(0) - lesion of sciatic nerve
Slr and hip knee flexion stretch
Freiberg's maneuver--an inward rotation of the thigh--stretches the piriformis muscle. In sitting patients, Pace's maneuver will elicit pain with the abduction of the affected leg.
Physiotherapy aimed at relaxing tight piriformis muscles, hip external rotators and adductors, strengthen hip abductors, or that increase the mobility of the sacroiliac joint can be beneficial.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and muscle relaxants may help. An injection of corticosteroid into the piriformis muscle, close to the sciatic nerve, can also ease pain and reduce swelling.
It is particularly common among skiers, tennis players, long-distance bikers, and truck drivers
The best kind of exercise for a piriformis syndrome is to simply stretch that particular muscle to reduce its tendency to go into protective spams. Several classic stretching exercises for the piriformis, hip extensor muscles and the hamstring group when done twice daily will often decrease the painful symptoms of sciatic nerve pressure and improve the range of motion without pain.Lie on your back with both feet flat on the floor and your knees bent.First piriformis stretch is done on the side with that has hip and leg pain.Pull the knee of the painful leg up to your chest, grasp the knee with both hands and slowly and gently pull it toward the opposite shoulder. If you are stretching for right low back and hip pain, the right knee is bent and flexed toward the left shoulder; if you are stretching for left low back and hip pain, the left knee is bent and flexed toward the right shoulder.Do not "bounce" the hold; use only slight gentle force that produces a pleasant feeling as the piriformis muscle stretches.Hold this position for 30 seconds, repeat 3-5 times and stretch 3 times a day during the acute state.Repeat for other side, although you will probably want to do more piriformis and sciatic nerve exercises on the side of greatest pain.
a tendon