Diagnostic dilemma

Piriformis syndrome: A frequently misdiagnosed pain in the buttocks

Muscular disorder is often mistaken for sciatica or a herniated disc, leaving patients with unresolved pain.

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It’s been called pseudosciatica, wallet sciatica, and deep gluteal syndrome.

Runners, dancers and patients who sit for hours most often present with symptoms, which can include pain, tingling or numbness in the backside and down the leg. The disorder—piriformis syndrome—happens when the piriformis muscle in the buttocks irritates the sciatic nerve.

While relatively common among marathon runners and other athletes, only about 200,000 cases are diagnosed each year. Osteopathic researchers say piriformis syndrome is often overlooked in clinical settings because it can masquerade as other conditions with similar symptoms.

“Effective treatment requires identification of the true musculoskeletal culprit,” says Clifford Stark, DO, medical director at Sports Medicine at Chelsea in New York City. “On an MRI, I may see a herniated or bulging disc but the physical exam tells me the disc isn’t causing the problem.”

According to Dr. Stark, the condition is often misdiagnosed as sciatica or a herniated disc, rather than piriformis syndrome. Underdiagnosis may stem from patients simply living with the pain rather than seeking out medical care.

The piriformis plays a crucial role

The piriformis muscle—the flat, band-like muscle located in the buttocks near the top of the hip joint and next to the sciatic nerve—stabilizes the hip area and is critical to lower body movement.

“It’s an important muscle for biomechanics and function,” says Dr. Stark. “It plays a crucial role in gait and balance.”

The sciatic nerve—where shooting leg or back pains often originate—passes alongside or through the piriformis muscle, before it continues down the back of the leg and eventually branches off into smaller nerves that end in the feet. A healthy piriformis can protect and improve sciatic function, while compression or spasm of the muscle can cause excruciating pain when it compresses and irritates the nearby sciatic nerve.

“The piriformis muscle allows us to walk and maintain balance,” says Dr. Stark. “For one of the most central, connected muscles in our body, it receives limited attention—leading to a lack of the maintenance care that can prevent extensive pain.”

Diagnosing and treating the culprit

Treatments for piriformis syndrome include stretching, manipulation, anti-inflammatory drugs, and in rare cases, surgery.

While there is no definitive test for piriformis syndrome, diagnosis involves a discussion of the patient’s symptoms and daily activities. To identify the source of the disorder, an osteopathic physician should manipulate the body to elicit pain in the region, which can help determine if it’s a contracted or tender piriformis muscle, a herniated disc or other issue.

“Many patients present with disc herniation, but that does not preclude piriformis syndrome,” says Dr. Stark. “Tests such as an ultrasound or MRI may be required to rule out other causes of sciatic nerve compression, such as a herniated disc, but in most cases the initial treatment is the same.”

A physician can suggest a program of exercises and stretches to conduct under the care of a physical therapist to help reduce sciatic nerve compression. Additionally, osteopathic manipulative treatment can be used to help relieve pain and increase range of motion. Rest, ice, and heat may also help alleviate symptoms.

Some health care providers may recommend anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or injections with a corticosteroid or anesthetic, though Dr. Stark recommends against this approach as the first line of care.

Surgery is a last resort.

14 comments

  1. Diana West

    “I’ve been plagued w/this nightmare since my severe car accident in 2004. In 2005, I went to Stanford Pain Management, & they didn’t recognize this syndrome. I’ve been suffering intractable low back, buttocks and leg pain for “15 years”. Specialist I’ve seen in Monterey, CA, still haven’t given me a clear diagnosis. Do you have any other articles to show them?

  2. Patty B

    Piriformis syndrome pain made me want to saw my own leg off! I had pain from my glutes down to my heel. 10/10 pain for weeks. All from sitting at my computer desk all the time. Rest, stretching, heat, and ice all helped me get my life back. Piriformis strengthening exercises also helped tremendously.

    1. Paula Murphy

      Hi Patty,
      Would really appreciate if you could e-mail me any useful links with stretching and strengthening exercises. I’m going on 9 months and going crazy. I’m using a massage tool and Dr. Ho knock off and I think its making it worse. Only relief is for 4 hours when my robax is active. Thank you

  3. pAM

    i JUST HAD DEEP INJECTIONS WHICH MADE IT WORSE. i EXPECTED SOME SORENESS SO I USED ICE AND HEAT AND IT DIDNT GO AWAY. IM WONERING WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE.

    1. Steve Saide

      Hi Pam, Pretty much Same thing happened to me the injections just numbed my skin surface and control of my butt muscles but they still hurt, got home from the Dr and well mud slide… My pain continued at times felt worse in the pelvic & tail bone, hips / hip sockets. Then when it wore off I felt like I wanted to die from the pain it became extremely dibilatating I’d say atleast 100 times worse than before and now my left leg drags and I have to kinda push myself up with my arms and shoulders with walker so I can Walk, now my entire body hurts so bad at times I can’t get out of bed or the floor depends on if I fell down or got lucky to wake up in bed. I invested in a heating blanket it has helped a lot with the blood circulation and muscle release but only for a few minutes when I’m away from it haha.

      Pam, I really hope you find some relief from your pain soon.

  4. Steve McHenry

    Had this complaint for a couple of years, had all the tests, doctor visits, pain killers which gave me other problems!!!!
    But luckily, at last, somebody recognised what was wrong and after some extensive pummelling and a couple of easy exercises, I’m on the mend. So don’t give up peoples.

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  6. Jcp

    Anyone here experience groin pain with piriformis syndrome? I’ve had 3 doctors dismiss my complaints of groin pain. They’re so focused on my bulging disc as the source of my sciatic pain, but I think it actuallyoriginates from my buttock muscle.

    1. Laura Knotts

      Same! I have a very mild bulging disc but pain has not gone away after over a year of physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, rest, heat, ice, AND an epidural steriod injection. I’m now thinking that the source of my pain is from Piriformis Syndrome! Lately I’ve been having weird groin pains!

  7. Carlos A Selmonosky MD

    A new clinical maneuver to diagnose PS very accurate

    PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME

    A CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC TRIAD

    In patients with lumbar pain associated or not with sciatica

    1) Tenderness on pressure on the sciatic notch

    2) Positive FAIR test

    3) External rotation deviation of the affected foot when

    lying in the supine position.

    Associated or not with weakness of the extension of
    the big toe and coldness of feet and legs

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