injuries and poisoning
Piriformis Syndrome
Treatment of Piriformis Syndrome
Rest Rehabilitation People should temporarily stop doing any activity that causes pain. If pain is aggravated by sitting, people should stand or, if unable to do so, change positions to remove the source of pressure around the buttock. Specific stretching exercises for the posterior hip and piriformis can be helpful. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other analgesics are used to relieve pain. Sometimes doctors inject a corticosteroid near the site where the piriformis muscle crosses the sciatic nerve to provide temporary pain relief. Surgery is rarely needed. 1. Lie on involved side. 2. Keep shoulders and hips in line with ankles slightly behind the body with the knees bent approximately 90°. 3. Keep feet together while lifting top knee up toward the ceiling. 4. Lower and repeat. 5. Repeat exercise lying on the uninvolved side. 6. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 3 times a day. 7. Special instructions a. For added resistance, place a band around the knees, start with the least resistance. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 1. Lie on back with both knees bent and feet on floor/table. 2. Perform abdominal and gluteus maximus contraction and lift buttocks off floor. 3. Keep legs in neutral position (keeping the hips, knees, and toes aligned and shoulder width apart). 4. Return to start position. 5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day. 6. Special instructions a. Maintain neutral spine. b. For added resistance, place an elastic band just above the knees. Start with least resistance band. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 