What Are The Warning Signs And Causes Of Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis syndrome is a disorder of the muscular system where the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle sits near the hip joint in the buttocks. This muscle is responsible for performing actions that involve the rotation of the thigh away from the body. The piriformis muscle also provides stability to the hip joint. The sciatic nerve is a major long and thick nerve that passes through or adjacent to the piriformis muscle. The sciatic nerve runs down the back of the leg, and branches out into numerous smaller nerves that eventually reach the feet. Piriformis syndrome is difficult to diagnose due to a lack of validated diagnostic tests. Symptoms alone, an MRI, or the FAIR test can all be utilized to make a diagnosis. Treatment involves the avoidance of triggering activities, pain management, and prevention of complications. Various factors can cause piriformis syndrome, and it can manifest in several ways.