What is Piriformis Syndrome?

The piriformis muscle is a muscle that runs deep in our hips in the form of a band. Piriformis syndrome; occurs when the sciatic nerve is under pressure under the piriformis muscle; waist, hip and leg pain, numbness spreading to the back of the leg and foot, and tingling symptoms.

It can be confused with many diseases with many symptoms, especially lumbar disc herniation. In people with piriformis syndrome, the pain often increases while sitting. In some cases, movements such as crossing legs, going downhill and walking are painful or difficult.

What are the Causes of Piriformis Syndrome?

• It can be seen in situations that may cause muscle damage such as traffic accidents, falls, and sudden bending of the hip.
• Too much exercise can damage the priformis muscle, as well as prolonged inactivity. It can also be seen in reasons such as prolonged sitting on a uncomfortable seats, lifting heavy objects for a long time and repetitively.
• Priformis syndrome can also be seen in scoliosis, different leg lengths, and previous hip surgeries.

Piriformis Syndrome is 6 times more common in women than men.

What Are the Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome?

• Walking with difficulty
• Limping 
• Tingling in the back of the leg
• Pain in the hip and coccyx
• Painful condition spreading to the hip, waist and leg due to the increase in sitting time
• Complaints that decrease with movement
• Inability to bend and stand up comfortably
• There may be difficulty or pain in crossing the legs

How is Piriformis Syndrome Diagnosed?

In order to diagnose piriformis syndrome, first of all, other possible causes should be excluded by performing examinations and imaging related to the waist and hips. Then, the diagnosis can be made by physical examination tests for the piriformis muscle. In imaging, no abnormality is usually observed in the muscle region on X-ray, MRI or ultrasound.

How is Piriformis Syndrome Treated?

In the acute painful period, rest and treatment to resolve the spasm in the piriformis muscle (such as drugs to reduce pain and spasm, and local steroid injections) should be given. Activities such as standing for long periods of time and running are restricted. Stretching exercises are performed on the hip muscles. People sitting while working should get up and walk around every 20 minutes. Rarely, surgery may be required to release the piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve.