PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME
PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Pain in the buttocks area and can radiate down leg (sciatica)
- Difficulty sitting for periods of time
- Extreme cases the foot on the involved side my rotate outward (piriformis action is to rotate the leg outward)
DEFINITION & ANATOMY
- Tightness of the piriformis muscles.
- When tight it can entrap the sciatic nerve
- Muscle is located under the gluteus maximus muscle
CAUSATIVE FACTORS
- Excessive movement of the foot (hyperpronation) rolling inward that causes the arches of the feet to flatten causing the leg to rotate inward slightly, this repetitive stress causes the piriformis muscle to be repetitively over stretched.
- Training errors such as running on crowned roads, hills, increasing mileage to soon or to fast
- Biomechanical abnormalities of the pelvis, leg length abnormalities, resulting in excessive stresses (see gait cycle)
- Use of ice to control pain and reduce swelling and inflammation
- Stretching the piriformis muscle and glutes
- If contributing factors are due to hyperpronation of the feet then stabilizing orthotics are recommended
- Have an analysis of your gait cycle (running & walking) by a biomechanical specialist (see OPTOGAIT)
