Piriformis syndrome where is the pain

The pain can quickly become severe and spread down the entire leg. This pain is strongest when walking, running, or sitting for long durations of time. Other common symptoms include pain when walking up stairs or inclines, limited range of motion of the hip,. While many factors can contribute to the development of piriformis syndrome the exact causes remain unknown. Possible contributing factors include muscle spasms, tightening, swelling or bleeding of the piriformis muscle due to irritation or traumatic injury to the piriformis muscle or hip.

Any of these conditions can lead to piriformis syndrome. There is no definitive test for piriformis syndrome and diagnosis must be made by ruling out other possible causes of sciatic pain. Diagnosis begins by taking a medical history and going through a physical exam.

Your doctor will review your medical history and may ask you about details of the duration and nature of your pain. By considering your medical history your doctor can determine if arthritis or other injuries are possible causes of your pain. Your doctor will also examine your hip and legs to see exactly what kind of movement causes your pain.

Your doctor may test your muscle strength and check for tenderness in your lower back and hip. X-rays and other imaging tests may be required to rule out other possible causes of your pain like herniated discs.

Good posture and proper form during physical activities is crucial to preventing piriformis syndrome. Make sure to always warm up before any physical activity and increase your intensity slowly. Try not to spend too much time running or exercising on hills or uneven ground.

If you feel any pain, stop what you are doing and rest until the pain goes away. Your doctor can give you information about what stretches will help. Massage the affected area. This may help reduce your pain. If you have severe piriformis syndrome, you may need surgery to relieve the pressure on your sciatic nerve. Living with piriformis syndrome You may find that piriformis syndrome comes and goes, depending on your activity level.

Questions for your doctor What is the likely cause of my pain? Do I need any tests to confirm piriformis syndrome? Is it safe for me to exercise? What kind of exercise should I do? Will alternative therapies such as yoga or massage help relieve my pain? Do I need to take any medicine? Last Updated: December 11, This article was contributed by: familydoctor.

Tags: butt , leg , nerve , piriformis , sciatic , sciatica. Related Articles. A herniated disc is a painful medical condition that occurs in your spine.

Low back pain is common. But you can learn to prevent it or reduce the frequency of pain. Visit our interactive symptom checker Visit our interactive symptom checker Get Started. The typical patient with piriformis syndrome complains of "sciatica" — that is, sharp, severe, radiating pain from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg and into the thigh, calf, and foot. Symptoms may seem to be due to hip bursitis or disc herniation "slipped disc" but the doctor's examination helps sort out the true cause because with piriformis syndrome the person also has:.

The diagnosis is "clinical" meaning that it is based on symptoms and physical examination. There is no specific blood test, biopsy, or imaging test to confirm the diagnosis. For this reason, it is difficult to know for sure that a person has the condition and there is some controversy about how common it is.

This is especially true because spine and disc disease can cause similar symptoms and piriformis syndrome can be present along with these other conditions such as hip bursitis. Sciatica can linger for several weeks or longer, depending on the cause. You should also see your doctor if your symptoms come and go frequently. Your doctor appointment will include a review of your medical history, your symptoms, and any possible causes of your pain. Be prepared to discuss your symptoms in detail.

If you had a recent fall or recall straining a muscle during sports, be sure to share that information with your doctor. Your doctor will also do a physical exam. You will be put through a range of movements in order to tell what positions cause pain.

Some imaging tests may also be necessary to help rule out other causes of your pain. An MRI scan or a CT scan may help your doctor determine whether arthritis or a ruptured disk is causing your pain. If it appears that piriformis syndrome is causing your symptoms, an ultrasound of the muscle may be helpful in diagnosing the condition. Rest and avoiding activities that trigger your symptoms are usually the first approaches to take.

You may feel better if you alternate ice and heat on your buttocks or legs. Keep the ice on for 15 to 20 minutes. Then use a heating pad on a low setting for about the same time. Try that every few hours to help relieve the pain. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen Advil or naproxen Aleve , may also help you feel better. The pain and numbness associated with piriformis syndrome may go away without any further treatment.

One simple exercise you can try is to lie flat on your back with both knees bent. Lift your left ankle up and rest it against your right knee. Then gently pull your right knee toward your chest and hold it for five seconds. Slowly return both legs to their starting positions and do the same stretch on the other side.

Then repeat both stretches.