Getting to know Piriformis Syndrome and its treatment

You may rarely hear Piriformis syndrome because this disease is classified as lower back pain which is rare, so not many people are familiar with its name. Lower back pain itself is a common condition experienced by people with an age range between 18 to 55 years. Piriformis syndrome occurs when the Piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, which is a large nerve that runs from the lower back to each of your legs. Piriformis muscle itself is a muscle located in the buttocks, extending to the top of the femur. Piriformis muscles help balance the lower body when you do activities that involve parts of the body in this area, such as walking or while lifting weights.

Piriformis Syndrome and its effects on the body

Someone who has Piriformis syndrome may feel pain in the hip, buttocks, or groin area, and also feel the body out of balance. Symptoms that are felt in Piriformis syndrome are generally similar to sciatica. Piriformis syndrome is susceptible to truck drivers, tennis players, ski enthusiasts, and cyclists. The pain due to Piriformis syndrome can spread to the lower limbs and will worsen when you walk or squat. Other signs that you may feel but don't realize are the pain that arises when you urinate, get up from the bed, pain in the genital area, pain when moving your thighs and difficulty sitting. In women, Piriformis syndrome can also be characterized by pain during intercourse. If left untreated, pain due to Piriformis syndrome can interfere with daily activities. Especially because this pain can be triggered while sitting, running, climbing stairs, so that if the Piriformis muscle is pressed.

Treatment Options for Piriformis Syndrome and its Prevention

To distinguish Piriformis syndrome from other types of lower back pain such as pinched nerves, muscle spasms, hamstring muscle injuries and gout, the doctor will do a physical examination and some supporting examinations on the patient. CT scan, MRI, and electromyographic examination (EMG) will be performed to observe the Piriformis muscle, detect disorders or changes in the nerve of the muscle, and find out the causative factors, such as herniation of the spinal cord pads, abscesses or tumors. Physiotherapy is one of the first types of treatment recommended for patients with Piriformis syndrome. Apart from adequate rest, you will be encouraged to take part in a series of physical exercises and stretches to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. You can also try applying cold compresses to the affected area to reduce inflammation and pain. Physiotherapy also aims to reduce pain and increase the range of your movements. Medications such as pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or corticosteroid injections and anesthetics can also be given if it is necessary to minimize pain. Surgery is the last resort recommended and is done in several ways, including cutting the Piriformis vein and sciatic nerve surgery. Surgery can also be considered in the symptoms of severe pain due to pressure on the sciatic nerve. You can discuss with your doctor, other treatment options available, before deciding to run it. To reduce the risk of Piriformis syndrome, a preventative measure that you can take is to provide sufficient warm-up time before you do activities or exercise. Also pay attention to body position when walking, running, or when you want to lift heavy loads. Stop the activity immediately if you feel pain or feel something is wrong with your posture or lower back area. The earlier the piriformis syndrome is treated, the greater the cure rate.