Piriformis Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Effective Recovery Strategies

Piriformis syndrome is the irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve where it runs through the piriformis muscle, deep in the buttocks. Piriformis syndrome is diagnosed during a physical exam.

Causes

• Potential causes of piriformis syndrome include weak, abductor and adductor muscles, leg length discrepancies, tight hamstrings, foot pronation or tight piriformis muscles.

Symptoms

• Pain symptoms of the condition can include a burning pain in the hip or deep in the buttocks that can sometimes radiate down the back of the thigh and pain when sitting for a long period of time, climbing stairs, squatting or running downhill too fast.

Treatments

• Treatment for piriformis syndrome include rest, ice packs, stretching the piriformis muscle several times a day, massage, physical therapy, and ultrasound. When running, avoid hills and canted surfaces and try to shorten your stride length.

Prevention/Solution

• Stretch the hip rotators (the muscles that turn the legs inward and outward), hip flexors and hamstrings. Address biomechanical issues by doing stretching and strengthening exercises.

Warning

• Stretching can duplicate the pain symptoms.