About the condition
What is Piriformis Syndrome?
The piriformis muscle connects the sacrum to the top of each thigh bone (femur). The muscle is crucial in stabilising the hip joints and facilitating rotating movements of the hip, leg and foot. The anatomy of the sciatic nerve varies person to person. In what is classified as normal relationship, the piriformis is superior to the sciatic nerve. Other variations have the nerve superior to the muscle or even going through the middle of the muscle, increasing the likelihood of irritating the sciatic nerve. Piriformis syndrome involves the piriformis muscle causing irritation of the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain and limited movement.
Primary Piriformis Syndrome
This is an anatomical cause where the actualanatomical positioningof the Piriformis muscle to the sciatic nerve causes the issue. Variations, such as a split piriformis muscle, split sciatic nerve, or an anomalous sciatic nerve path increase the chances of developing primary piriformis syndrome. Among patients with piriformis syndrome, fewer than 15% of cases have primary causes.
Secondary Piriformis Syndrome
Secondary piriformis syndrome occurs as a result of aninjury or accidentto the region, resulting inmacrotrauma,microtraumaorischemia (reduced blood flow). This leads to inflammation and irritation, which compresses the nearby sciatic nerve.
