piriformis-skeleton

So, have you ever experienced pain in the buttock that radiates down into the thigh? Maybe even felt some numbness and tingling? Recently, I was contacted by an experienced marathoner who has been plagued by pain in the buttock and posterior thigh.  He self diagnosed himself as having piriformis syndrome after doing some research on the Internet.  So. what is piriformis syndrome?

Some experts debate whether it truly exists, but essentially, it involves the piriformis, a small pear shaped muscle in that helps externally rotate (turn out) the hip and the sciatic nerve which runs down the entire back of the leg and is responsible for sensation and motor movement patterns of many of the muscles in the lower leg.

It is suggested that in this syndrome the sciatic nerve essentially becomes compressed or irritated by a tight piriformis muscle.  The sciatic nerve travels above, below or even through the piriformis muscle itself based on anatomical studies.

Some have even suggested that prolonged sitting with the hips turned out or sitting on a wallet can contribute to this problem.  I even remember being told in PT school that it is more common in truck drivers.  With that said, I think I can count on one, if not both hands the number of patients I have seen in 15 years that I truly believe had piriformis syndrome.

Now back to my runner.  He began having pain in his left buttock and hamstring in late December after seeing a trigger point specialist who suggested he had a tight piriformis and did some deep tissue work on it.  A short time afterward, he began having symptoms.  He saw a physical therapist for 2-3 sessions and was given some stretches to do.  Meanwhile, he began getting deep tissue massage focused on the area in January and February.


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