If you often feel pain or a feeling in your buttocks that radiates to the back of your thigh, it could be due to piriformis syndrome. This condition is generally experienced by people aged 18-55 years.
Piriformis syndrome is a condition when the piriformis muscle presses on a nerve ischiadicus, which is a large nerve that starts from the lower spine, passes through the piriformis muscle, then travels to the thigh and along the leg.
The piriformis muscle itself runs from the bottom of the spine to the top of the femur. This muscle is involved in all movements involving the hip and leg, such as walking, and is important for balancing the hip joint.
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The appearance of piriformis syndrome is often associated with sports injuries associated with trauma to the buttocks. Not only that, people who are used to sitting for too long are also at risk of experiencing priformis syndrome, such as truck drivers. Some of the symptoms experienced by people with piriformis syndrome include:
- Pain, tingling, and numbness that starts in the buttocks and radiates to the back of the leg and is worsened when stepping sideways and turning the foot
- Pain that occurs when defecating or getting out of bed
- Pain in the genital area
- Can't sit still for long
- Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), especially in women
If piriformis syndrome is not treated, the impact is disruption of daily activities. People with piriformis syndrome will have difficulty doing activities, driving for long periods of time, sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time, walking long distances, running, or climbing stairs.
Piriformis Syndrome Treatment Options and Prevention
To treat a complaint effectively, of course the cause must be known first. Unfortunately, the symptoms of piriformis syndrome can be similar and are often confused with other conditions, such as a pinched nerve, thigh muscle injury, or gout. Therefore, this condition should be checked by a doctor.
Before being confirmed as having piriformis syndrome, the patient needs to undergo a physical examination and several investigations, such as CT scan, MRI, and electromyography examination. Blood lab tests may also be done to rule out the possibility of other diseases.
Once the cause is known, there are several treatments that can be done to treat piriformis syndrome, namely:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is one of the first types of treatment recommended for people with piriformis syndrome. The physiotherapist will assist the patient in physical exercises and stretching focused on the piriformis muscle to reduce pressure on the nerve ischiadicus.
Drugs
Medications, such as pain relievers, muscle relaxants (muscle relaxant), as well as corticosteroid injections and pain reliever injections, can also be given if deemed necessary to reduce pain.
Operation
Surgery is the last option if the above methods don't work. The operation can be performed in several ways, including loosening the tension in the piriformis muscle and nerves ischiadicus. Surgery is usually performed on symptoms of severe pain due to pressure on the nerves ischiadicus.
To reduce the risk of piriformis syndrome, a preventative step you can take is to provide sufficient warm-up time before activities or sports. Also pay attention to the position of the body when walking, running, or when you want to lift heavy weights. Good posture will reduce the risk of muscle tension.
If you experience symptoms of piriformis syndrome, immediately consult a doctor for treatment. The earlier piriformis syndrome is treated, the better the chances of a cure.
