Piriformis syndrome is a common diagnosis in physiotherapy. However, Pirifmoris Syndrome is often overlooked during examinations, as it can show the same symptoms as lumbar or sacral dysfunction. Piriformis syndrome is neuromuscular in origin and often manifests itself through back and pelvic pain.
Both men and women are affected, whether they are doing sitting or standing jobs. As mentioned above, Piriformis syndrome is neuromuscular, meaning that both the nerve and muscle are involved in the syndrome. The affected nerve N. Ischiadicus originates from the segments L4-S3 of the spinal column, then enters the pelvis, leaves the pelvis again below the course of M. Piriformis in the Foramen infrapiriformis and travels along the back of the leg to the foot.
The affected muscle M. Piriformis starts at the sacrum and moves towards the femoral head. It makes a lateral lifting of the leg, extension of the hip and an external rotation in the hip joint. Piriformis syndrome is therefore caused either by a local inflammation of the nerve or muscle or by hypertonia of the muscle, which then presses the nerve.
For information on physiotherapeutic treatment, please refer to Physiotherapy Piriformis Syndrome. Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome may include the following: Possible causes can be diagnosed in connection with a gait analysis/gait training.
- Pain when sitting or standing for more than 15 minutes
- Feeling of pain in the area of the M. Gluteus maximus, the buttocks and back of the leg but not beyond the knee, the pain improves when walking
- Sensory irritations in the area of the back thigh to the knee, walking is painful at the beginning and a direct palpation of the M. Piriformis.
- Symptoms could also be in the area of the tensor fascia latae and gluteus medius
- The leg of the affected side is more likely to rotate outwards and only comes into internal rotation with pain
- Special neurological test for M. Piriformis is positive
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