Piriformis syndrome

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Piriformis syndrome
Classification and external resources
Nerves of the right lower extremity Posterior view.
eMedicine pmr/106 

Piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or otherwise irritated by the piriformis muscle causing pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks and along the sciatic nerve. There is no definitive way to diagnose the syndrome[1] which may result from anatomical variations in the muscle-nerve relationship, or from overuse or strain.

Uncontrolled studies have suggested theories about the disorder, however a large scale formal prospective outcome trial using Class A study, designed as outlined by the American College of Physicians, found that the weight of the evidence-based medicine is that piriformis syndrome should be considered as a possible diagnosis when sciatica occurs without a clear spinal cause[2][3]

The need for controlled studies is supported by studies of spinal disk disease that show a high frequency of abnormal disks in asymptomatic patients.[4][5]

Contents

[edit] Pathophysiology

In 15% of the population the sciatic nerve passes through the piriformis muscle,[6] rather than underneath it. These people have been reported by some studies to have a greater incidence of piriformis syndrome than does the general population. Some researchers discount the importance of this relationship in the etiology of the syndrome.[7]

Inactive gluteal muscles also facilitate development of the syndrome. These are important in both hip extension and in aiding the piriformis in external rotation of the femur. A major cause for inactive gluteals is unwanted reciprocal inhibition from overactive hip flexors (psoas major, iliacus, and rectus femoris). This imbalance usually occurs where the hip flexors have been trained to be too short and tight, such as when someone sits with hips flexed, as in sitting all day at work. This deprives the gluteals of activation, and the synergists to the gluteals (hamstrings, adductor magnus, and piriformis) then have to perform extra roles they were not designed to do. Resulting hypertrophy of the piriformis then produces the typical symptoms.

Runners, bicyclists and other athletes engaging in forward-moving activities are particularly susceptible to developing piriformis syndrome if they do not engage in lateral stretching and strengthening exercises. When not balanced by lateral movement of the legs, repeated forward movements can lead to disproportionately weak hip abductors and tight adductors.[8] Thus, disproportionately weak hip abductors/gluteus medius muscles, combined with very tight adductor muscles, can cause the piriformis muscle to shorten and severely contract. Upon a 40% increase in Piriformis size, sciatic nerve impingement is inevitable. This means the abductors on the outside cannot work properly and strain is put on the Piriformis.[9]

The result of the piriformis muscle spasm can be impingement of not only the sciatic nerve but also the pudendal nerve.[10] The pudendal nerve controls the muscles of the bowels and bladder. Symptoms of pudendal nerve entrapment include tingling and numbness in the groin and saddle areas, and can lead to urinary and fecal incontinence.

When piriformis syndrome is caused by weak abductors combined with tight adductors, a highly effective and easy treatment includes stretching and strengthening these muscle groups. An exercise regimen targeting the gluteus medius and hip adductor muscle groups can alleviate symptoms of piriformis syndrome within days.

Another purported cause for piriformis syndrome is stiffness, or hypomobility, of the sacroiliac joints. The resulting compensatory changes in gait would then result in shearing of one of the origins of the piriformis, and possibly some of the gluteal muscles as well, resulting not only in piriformis malfunction but in other low back pain syndromes as well.

Piriformis syndrome can also be caused by overpronation of the foot.[11] When a foot overpronates it causes the knee to turn medially, causing the piriformis to activiate to prevent over-rotating the knee. This causes the piriformis to become overused and therefore tight, eventually leading to piriformis syndrome.

It is most frequently associated with falling injury.[12]

[edit] Other presentations

In addition to causing gluteal pain that may radiate down the leg, the syndrome may present with pain that is relieved by walking with the foot on the involved side pointing outward. This position externally rotates the hip, lessening the stretch on the piriformis and relieving the pain slightly. Piriformis syndrome is also known as "wallet sciatica" or "fat wallet syndrome," as the condition can be caused or aggravated by sitting with a large wallet in the affected side's rear pocket. [13]

[edit] Diagnosis

There is no definitive way to diagnose the syndrome,[1] however indications include sciatica - radiating pain in the posterior thigh and lower leg - and the physical exam finding of tenderness in the area of the sciatic notch. Magnetic resonance neurography is a medical imaging technique that can show the presence of irritation of the sciatic nerve at the level of the sciatic notch where the nerve passes under the piriformis muscle. Neurography can also determine whether or not a patient has a split sciatic nerve or a split piriformis muscle - this may be important in getting a good result from injections or surgery. Image guided injections carried out in an Open MRI scanner can accurately relax the piriformis muscle to test the diagnosis. Other injection methods such as blind injection, flouroscopic guided injection, ultrasound, or EMG guidance can work but are not as reliable. Unlike spine injections, there is no bony target that can show up on X-ray, so fluoroscopy can't show the injection target. It has been difficult to achieve reliable injections with EMG and ultrasound because these methods are not specific to the piriformis muscle. CT guided injections can work well but provide a very high dose of radiation to the pelvis and there is no possibility of shielding sensitive tissues from the radiation.

[edit] Treatment

Treatment usually begins with stretching exercises and massage, and avoidance of contributory activities, such as running and bicycling. Some clinicians recommend formal physical therapy, including the teaching of stretching techniques, massage, and strengthening of the core muscles (abs, back, etc.) to reduce strain on the piriformis. Stretching exercises will target the piriformis, but may also include the hamstrings and hip muscles, in order to adequately reduce pain and increase range of motion.

Patients with piriformis syndrome may also find relief from ice and heat. Ice can be helpful when the pain starts, or immediately after an activity that causes pain. This may be simply an ice pack, or ice massage. Alternating heat and ice is often helpful.

Failure of piriformis syndrome treatment may be secondary to an underlying obturator internus muscle injury.[1]

Anti-inflammatory drugs and/or corticosteroid injections can be used. Rarely surgery may be recommended. The prognosis is generally good. Custom foot orthotics also help with both treatment and prevention. Gait correction can reduce the use of the piriformis, allowing the muscle to relax and heal itself. Ultrasound is another option, providing deeper heat than heat packs alone.

Minimal access surgery using newly-reported techniques has also proven successful in a large-scale formal outcome published in 2005.[14]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Piriformis Syndrome: Treatment & Medication
  2. ^ Filler AG, Haynes J, Jordan SE, et al (2005). "Sciatica of nondisc origin and piriformis syndrome: diagnosis by magnetic resonance neurography and interventional magnetic resonance imaging with outcome study of resulting treatment". Journal of neurosurgery. Spine 2 (2): 99–115. PMID 15739520. 
  3. ^ Lewis AM, Layzer R, Engstrom JW, Barbaro NM, Chin CT (2006). "Magnetic resonance neurography in extraspinal sciatica". Arch. Neurol. 63 (10): 1469–72. doi:10.1001/archneur.63.10.1469. PMID 17030664. 
  4. ^ Deyo RA, Weinstein JN (2001). "Low back pain". N. Engl. J. Med. 344 (5): 363–70. doi:10.1056/NEJM200102013440508. PMID 11172169. 
  5. ^ "NEJM -- Table 2". http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/344/5/363/T2. Retrieved on 2007-11-16. 
  6. ^ sciatic_2_roots
  7. ^ Benzon HT, Katz JA, Benzon HA, Iqbal MS (2003). "Piriformis syndrome: anatomic considerations, a new injection technique, and a review of the literature". Anesthesiology 98 (6): 1442–8. doi:10.1097/00000542-200306000-00022. PMID 12766656. 
  8. ^ http://www.drpribut.com/sports/piriformis.html
  9. ^ http://www.drpribut.com/sports/piriformis.html
  10. ^ http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=44401
  11. ^ "Colorado Runner -- Feature Article". http://www.coloradorunnermag.com/features/Issue1_Sciatica.html. Retrieved on 2007-11-16. 
  12. ^ Kuncewicz E, Gajewska E, Sobieska M, Samborski W (2006). "Piriformis muscle syndrome". Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 52 (3): 99–101; discussion 101. PMID 17385355. 
  13. ^ Piriformis Syndrome (Hip/Buttocks Pain)
  14. ^ JNS: Spine Table of Contents Menu

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome"
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