What is piriformis syndrome?
Piriformis syndrome is a chronic condition that results in pain radiating from the back of the buttocks and sometimes down the hamstring (back of the leg) and to the foot. It can often aggravate the sciatic nerve, which may lead to sciatica. Piriformis syndrome occurs when the small muscle located behind the gluteus maximus, running diagonally from the base of the spine to the femur (top of the thigh bone at the hip joint) spasms, is restrictive or tight and presses on the sciatic nerve, causing radiating pain down the leg and to the foot. Pain is often associated with piriformis syndrome and can be intermittent or worsen and become a chronic condition.
How does piriformis syndrome develop?
The exact cause of piriformis syndrome may be unknown in your case. However, an injury to the glute area, or muscle weakness could contribute to the cause of or worsen this condition. The piriformis muscle’s job is to help externally rotate the hip for abduction and flexion (think spreading your knees apart and pressing them back together while sitting). It also helps you rotate your foot outward and back into a neutral position.
The glute muscles are also responsible for this movement and support. However, when the glute muscles are weak or lack sufficient strength to do their job (they are no longer activating), then the piriformis muscle takes over and bears more of the responsibility than it is designed to bear. Therefore, the muscle can become chronically tight and inflamed as it presses on the sciatic nerve.
How is piriformis syndrome treated?
In some cases, piriformis syndrome can be treated with conservative measures like stretching the piriformis and strengthening the surrounding muscles like the low back, glutes (buttocks), and legs to lessen the strain on the piriformis muscle. Additionally, applying ice packs and taking anti-inflammatory medication can sometimes help relieve the piriformis and help it calm down and reduce pain. However, when these conservative treatments do not provide sufficient pain relief, other options are available that may help you get out of pain almost immediately.
At Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates (MSSP) we offer minimally invasive treatments to help ease pain in patients suffering from piriformis pain. Trigger point injections are helpful at reducing pain and inflammation associated with piriformis syndrome. The injection contains a corticosteroid, which helps reduce inflammation, and is sometimes paired with an anesthetic to numb the targeted area temporarily, and botulinum toxin that temporarily relaxes the muscle. The purpose of the trigger point injection is to relax the piriformis and reduce your pain enough so that you can begin building strength in the surrounding muscles, which provide a more long-term pain relief. Therefore, it is possible that our pain management doctor in Corinth may recommend physical therapy or other therapeutic treatments to help provide the most effective and long-term relief for your pain.
Treating Piriformis Pain in Southwest Tennessee and North Mississippi, including Tupelo, MS and Jackson, TN
Reclaim your health and your movement, pain-free, by choosing Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates. Learn more about trigger point injection therapy or schedule a consultation by calling (662) 284-8565.