The piriformis muscle is attached between the greater trochanter of the thigh and the sacroiliac joint. The gluteus muscle covers it. The anatomical scheme is complicated by the fact that the sciatic nerve and gluteal artery are tightly adjacent to the piriformis muscle. In 10%, an individual characteristic of the organism is manifested in the fact that the specified nerve passes through the piriformis muscle. Therefore, any changes in this muscle tissue affect the condition of the sciatic nerve or gluteal artery.
What causes piriformis inflammation?
Inflammation in the piriformis muscle is accompanied by swelling of the tissue. Increasing, the piriformis muscle presses directly on the branches of the sacral nerves. Especially often the sciatic nerve is affected pathologically. The disease manifests itself in the following symptoms.
- Patients characterize pain in the buttocks area as pulling and aching.
- Pain in the area of the hip and sacroiliac joint is aggravated by taking a standing position, walking, or trying to squat.
- Taking a prone position, sitting down and spreading legs, patients note that the pain subsides.
- Having relaxed the gluteus maximus muscle, the patient can find a hard piriformis muscle beneath it, giving off pain during exertion.
- When the doctor taps or presses the surface of the leg from the back during diagnosis, pain appears in the piriformis muscle.
- The sciatic bone hurts when you focus on it.
- Inflammation of the piriformis muscle is often combined with the same condition of the remaining pelvic floor muscles. The internal obstructive and coccygeal muscles, as well as the anus levator, are drawn into the painful process. In this case, the pelvic floor syndrome manifests itself.
- Abnormalities in the work of the sphincters are noted, urination occurs with a short pause at the beginning.
Piriformis spasm with compression of the sciatic nerve and blood vessels
- The nature of the pain is dumb. There are signs of damage to the autonomic system - this is chilliness, burning and a feeling of numbness.
- The pain spreads throughout the leg, intensifying at the location of the peroneal nerve and tibial nerve.
- Exacerbation of spasm in a stressful situation and the change of weather.
- Sometimes surface sensitivity or Achilles reflex is reduced.
- With compression of the tibial nerve, patients complain of localization of pain in the hind muscles of the lower leg while walking. The assumption is confirmed by the Lasseng breakdown. Pain is felt in the calf muscle and soleus muscle.
- If compression of the sciatic nerve occurs together with compression of the lower gluteal artery, then there is a sharp spasm in the vessels of the leg. Often the process goes into intermittent claudication. When walking, the patient often stops, sits down. We even have to go to bed. The skin on the leg turns pale. Similar attacks are repeated systematically.
Piriformis muscle, sciatic nerve compression treatment
Modern medicine approaches the elimination of pain in the lumbosacral spine comprehensively. Activities are aimed at addressing the causes of the disease.
Piriformis, drug treatment
Drug therapy is aimed at easing muscle spasm, at the complete elimination of pain and discomfort.
Piriformis muscle reflexology
- Acupuncture method.
- Pharmacopuncture method.
- The method of moxa therapy.
- Vacuum Therapy Method
- Laser puncture method.
Piriformis muscle treated with special exercises
When performing a therapeutic complex of exercises, it is important to adhere to the order established by the physiotherapist. The gymnastic effect of exercises on piriformis stretching depends on this. If the doctor observes an improvement in the patient’s condition, he often recommends laying his foot on the foot, but not holding it for a long time.