Other causes
In addition to the disorders that directly affect the piriformis muscle, weakness of the large gluteal muscles that lie above the piriformis muscle can also lead to piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle is supported in its function by the much more powerful remaining gluteal muscles. However, if these gluteal muscles are weakened, for example by remaining in the same position for many hours every day at work, these muscles shorten and are no longer able to carry out their actual activities fully.
As a result, the piriformis muscle, among other things, has to perform these activities more frequently, can become larger due to this overstraining (hypertrophy) and press on the sciatic nerve, which can cause pain again. In addition to the sciatic nerve, the pudendal nerve can also be pinched or damaged as the cause of the piriformis syndrome. The pudendal nerve supplies the perineal and genital region sensitively and controls the arbitrary emptying of the bladder and bowels.
If the pudendal nerve is constricted by the piriformis muscle, it can range from tingling and numbness in the perineal and genital region to urinary and fecal incontinence, as the bladder and bowel emptying can no longer be controlled. Accidents can also be a possible cause of piriformis syndrome, especially if you fall on your hips, thighs or buttocks, resulting in greater force being exerted on the piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve. Finally, congenital or acquired malpositions of the legs and feet can also be responsible for the piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is more frequently observed in x-legs in particular, as well as in differences in length between the two legs.
- Piriformis syndrome
- Piriformis syndrome symptoms
- Piriformis Syndrome Therapy
- Piriformis syndrome stretching
- Piriformis Syndrome Healing
- Duration of Piriformis Syndrome
- Tests for Piriformis Syndrome
