Basically, simply a muscle spasm with consequences, piriformis syndrome is far more common than people (including doctors) realise and really is a pain in the butt on two fronts.
First it's extremely distressing and can almost totally disable the sufferer
Secondly it can be a long term problem and difficult to treat
The piriformis is a short, very strong muscle that lies at the back of the hip joint, going from the top of the femur (thigh bone) across the hip to the pelvis. Immediately beneath it and between the muscle body and the bone, lies the sciatic nerve and all its branches. Sometimes the nerve even passes through the actual body of the muscle. It is an external rotator meaning it performs actions such as rotating the leg outwards and backwards.
When the muscles goes into spasm, the nerve is compressed between the hardened muscle and the bone which give rise to the typical symptoms of piriformis syndrome which are:
Treatment includes
The piriformis stretch:
Stretch
To apply a little more stretch, use both legs like this
You can also roll on a foam bar or ball. Get it on the spot and rock back and forth like so
Piriformis can be an isolated incident or it can recur. But though extremely painful, it is not a serious condition and does not leads to surgical treatment.
NOTE: if you are a THR patient and not less than 8 weeks post op, it should be safe to do these BUT don't do them aggressively and if you get any pain in or near the actual hip joint, STOP IMMEDIATELY!
First it's extremely distressing and can almost totally disable the sufferer
Secondly it can be a long term problem and difficult to treat
The piriformis is a short, very strong muscle that lies at the back of the hip joint, going from the top of the femur (thigh bone) across the hip to the pelvis. Immediately beneath it and between the muscle body and the bone, lies the sciatic nerve and all its branches. Sometimes the nerve even passes through the actual body of the muscle. It is an external rotator meaning it performs actions such as rotating the leg outwards and backwards.
1. a sharp intense pain in the middle of the buttock that affects almost all movements including getting out of bed, rising from a chair, any bending or stretching
2. radiating pain down the sciatic pathways, commonly called sciatica, which travels down the outer side of the leg, often as far as the ankle and foot. This can sometimes be misleading and lead to suspicions of spinal issues.
2. radiating pain down the sciatic pathways, commonly called sciatica, which travels down the outer side of the leg, often as far as the ankle and foot. This can sometimes be misleading and lead to suspicions of spinal issues.
Treatment includes
rest and gentle exercises like short walks and short periods on a stationary bike with no resistance
using over the counter pain killers
icing - get a large gel pack and sit on it!
doing stretches
having treatment including massage from a physiotherapist or chiropractor
using over the counter pain killers
icing - get a large gel pack and sit on it!
doing stretches
having treatment including massage from a physiotherapist or chiropractor
The piriformis stretch:
Stretch
lie on your back on a firm surface
bend up both legs
raise the affected leg and grasp both hands around the knee
pull the leg up across your body towards the opposite shoulder
you should feel a gentle tug in the area of the piriformis, when you experience this, pull more firmly on the leg to stretch the muscle
bend up both legs
raise the affected leg and grasp both hands around the knee
pull the leg up across your body towards the opposite shoulder
you should feel a gentle tug in the area of the piriformis, when you experience this, pull more firmly on the leg to stretch the muscle
To apply a little more stretch, use both legs like this
You can also roll on a foam bar or ball. Get it on the spot and rock back and forth like so
Piriformis can be an isolated incident or it can recur. But though extremely painful, it is not a serious condition and does not leads to surgical treatment.
NOTE: if you are a THR patient and not less than 8 weeks post op, it should be safe to do these BUT don't do them aggressively and if you get any pain in or near the actual hip joint, STOP IMMEDIATELY!
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