"What is Piriformis Syndrome?"
The term piriformis syndrome refers to the piriformis muscle which is located in the posterior portion of the hip or buttock region. The piriformis muscle acts as an external rotator of the hip. When the muscle is contracted or shortened, the thigh is “turned out”, as in crossing the leg when in sitting.
Symptoms of a piriformis syndrome include pain/discomfort at the involved hip with possible radiating pain into the posterior thigh on the involved leg. This often occurs because the sciatic nerve runs through the posterior portion of the hip where the piriformis muscle is located and an increased tightness of the piriformis muscle creates extra pressure on the nerve giving compression and possible irritation.
There is often associated point tenderness at the region of the buttock where the piriformis muscle is located. Pain or discomfort may be more pronounced with positions of standing, walking and stair climbing.
Piriformis syndrome can occur due to prolonged positions of sitting where the leg is turned out. Trauma can also trigger a piriformis syndrome (e.g. falling to the ground and landing on the hip). Many often times the condition can be insidious in nature.
Treatment can include physical therapy, massage therapy, and trigger point injections. Causative factors should be avoided and can often times be essential in the recovery process.