Sports injury & pain management center Pain Physicians NY in Brooklyn & NYC leading by the best rated pain management doctor Leon Reyfman provides a full range of advanced pain management treatments including Injections, PRP, and Stem Cell Therapy to treat Piriformis Syndrome.
What is Piriformis Syndrome?
Piriformis syndrome is a medical condition in which the piriformis muscle spasms and causes pain in the buttock (buttocks are the place where the piriformis muscle is located). The piriformis muscle can also irritate the sciatic nerve, which is nearby and cause also pain, numbness or tingling along to the back of the leg and into the foot.
The piriformis muscle is localized deep in the buttock, starting at the lower spine and connects the upper surface of each thighbone. The piriformis muscle assists in the process of rotation of the hip and turning the leg and foot outward.
What Causes Piriformis Syndrome?
The exact cause of Piriformis syndrome is not known. However, some of the following causes are suspected:
- Bleeding in the area of the piriformis muscle due to an injury
- Swelling of the piriformis muscle due to an injury
- Tightening of the piriformis muscle due to an injury
- Muscle spasm in the piriformis muscle, either of the irritation of the muscle itself or from the irritation of the nearby structures like for example the hip or sacroiliac joint.
Signs and Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome usually starts with pain, numbness and tingling in the buttocks. The pain depends from one person to another. It can vary from mild, moderate to severe and it is localized in the buttocks, but also extends down the leg to the toes.
The pain caused by the piriformis syndrome can sometimes be triggered from climbing the stairs, sitting for a long period of time, compressing directly over the piriformis muscle, etc.
How is Piriformis Syndrome Diagnosed?
There is no single examination or diagnostic tests that will help your Brooklyn hip pain doctor diagnose the Piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is diagnosed basically due to the patient’s symptoms, but also by excluding other possible causes for the signs and symptoms of the patient.
How is Piriformis Syndrome Treated?
Treatment of the Piriformis syndrome depends on the cause and the severity of the pain and other symptoms.
Ice packs and ice massage on the painful area are very helpful. However, for some patients, it is also very helpful to alternate the cold with heat.
NSAIDs also help decrease inflammation in the affected area.
Local anesthetics, corticosteroid injections or pain relief injections can be applied directly into the piriformis muscle in order to help decrease the muscle spasm and the pain that is caused due to this muscle spasm.
Botox injections are also a treatment option in cases when anesthetic or corticosteroid local injections are not successful in controlling the pain. Botox injections will help reduce the muscle spasm and the pressure from this muscle spasm on the sciatic nerve.
TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) or IFC (Interferential current stimulator) is another treatment option for the Piriformis syndrome in order to reduce the muscle spasm and relieve the pain.
Pain Physicians NY (Brooklyn & NYC) provides a full range of advanced pain management services to help our patients return to a healthy and pain-free lifestyle. Our approach to pain care is individualized, and we providing the most effective treatments and utilizing the latest technologies available in the USA. The pace at which technology is growing can make last year’s methods obsolete. Our team is always at the top of their game and at the head of the pack.
We always consider non-invasive treatment options first before we turn to more invasive procedures like minimally invasive surgery.