PmS - Piriformis Muscle Syndrome

The Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the buttocks and referring pain along the sciatic nerve.  A short, tight muscle compresses nerves and blood vessels coming out of the pelvis.  This can result not only in the cause of piriformis syndrome , but also a sense of swelling of buttocks, leg, calf and foot.

This syndrome can often mimic its more notorious counterpart known as sciatica and is often misdiagnosed as sciatica. This referred pain, called "sciatica," often goes down the back of the thigh and/or into the lower back.  Symptoms can be:

*Deep aching in the buttock and thigh on the involved side (not usually beyond the knee) - pain is often aggravated by sitting, squatting or walking. If the sciatic nerve is stressed by the tight piriformis it can radiate down the leg and around the ankle (similar to sciatica)

*Affected leg is often externally rotated when relaxed - right leg often affected after driving a long distance.

*Low Back pain

*Painful intercourse in females or rectal pain during defacation.

Many weekend athletes and people who spend long hours sitting are prone to this syndrome. The piriformis muscle is either irritated, in spasm or shortened.