SCIATICA
Piriformis syndrome is a condition that causes the compression of the sciatic nerve due to a tightened, spastic or inflamed piriformis muscle, which is located near the buttock and crosses over the sciatic nerve.
While sciatica — the pain and symptoms associated with sciatic nerve compression — can be caused by many issues, including spine conditions like a herniated disc, piriformis syndrome is a result of compression by the piriformis muscle, which is a flat muscle in the hip that runs between the base of the spine and the thigh bone. When the piriformis muscle tightens, it can place pressure on the nearby sciatic nerve and cause symptoms of pain and numbness in the buttock and leg.
Causes of piriformis syndrome and sciatica
Piriformis syndrome is caused by muscular injury of two types: overload and bio-mechanical inefficiencies. Overload refers to overexertion from sports, lifting, or other rigorous activities, while bio-mechanical inefficiencies refer to continued misuse of the piriformis muscle, such as prolonged bad posture or incorrect form while jogging.
Symptoms of piriformis syndrome and sciatica
Piriformis syndrome can compress the sciatic nerve and cause the same symptoms as sciatica caused by a degenerative spine condition. These symptoms may include:
- Discomfort surrounding the hip bone or felt deep in the buttocks
- Pain that radiates through the buttocks and down the back of the leg
- Numbness or loss of feeling in the thighs, knees, calves, ankles, or feet
- Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in the lower half of the body
If you are experiencing these symptoms, consult your physician to determine your diagnosis and draft a treatment option to relieve your pain.
Treatment options for piriformis syndrome and sciatica
Sciatica that results from a muscle strain should heal itself in a matter of weeks. Consult your doctor about conservative treatments such as physical therapy that will help stretch your piriformis muscle and relieve your pain.
If you have been diagnosed with a spine condition as the underlying cause of your sciatica and are considering surgery after exhausting conservative treatments, contact our specialists at TriMed Spine & Joint 1 (855) 4-TRIMED.
TriMed Spine & Joint is a leader in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery and has helped thousands of patients for more than a decade find relief from chronic neck or back pain. Our board-certified spine specialists can draft the proper treatment for piriformis syndrome.
Non-Surgical Option: DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Therapy
When sciatica stems from a herniated or bulging disc pressing on the nerve, DRX9000 spinal decompression therapy may help relieve that pressure without surgery. Call 1 (855) 487-4633 to schedule an evaluation with Steven Cantor DC.
Common Questions About Sciatica
Is sciatica the same as piriformis syndrome?
No. Sciatica describes pain travelling along the path of the sciatic nerve, and it is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. True sciatica usually starts at the nerve root in the lower back, most often from a herniated or bulging disc. Piriformis syndrome produces similar leg pain but the nerve is irritated lower down, where it passes the piriformis muscle in the buttock. The two are treated differently, which is why the level of the problem needs to be identified before care begins.
How long does sciatica usually last?
Most acute episodes settle over a period of weeks as the inflammation around the nerve root reduces. Pain that persists beyond six weeks, keeps returning, or is getting worse rather than better should be evaluated, because that pattern often points to ongoing mechanical pressure on the nerve that will not resolve on its own.
When is sciatica an emergency?
Seek emergency care immediately if you develop numbness in the groin or saddle area, loss of bladder or bowel control, or weakness that is rapidly getting worse in one or both legs. Those signs can indicate cauda equina syndrome, which is a surgical emergency. Progressive foot drop or a leg that is becoming unable to bear weight also needs same-day assessment rather than watchful waiting.
Can a chiropractor help sciatica?
Often, yes, when the cause is mechanical. Care is directed at the source of the nerve irritation rather than at the leg pain itself, and may combine chiropractic treatment, physical rehabilitation and, for disc-related cases, non-surgical decompression. Steven Cantor DC examines you and reviews your imaging first, because sciatica from a disc, from the piriformis muscle and from stenosis do not respond to the same approach.
Can spinal decompression help sciatica caused by a disc?
It is one of the options considered when a herniated or bulging disc is pressing on the nerve root. DRX9000 spinal decompression is FDA cleared to treat herniated discs, bulging discs and degenerative disc disease, and at TriMed Spine & Joint it is performed at our Boca Raton office. Whether it suits your case is decided in person, after an examination and a review of your imaging.