English

Abstract

Piriformis syndrome is a painful musculoskeletal condition resembling sciatica, secondary to sciatic nerve entrapment in piriformis muscle at the greater sciatic notch and responsible for 6%cases of low back pain, also called back pocket sciatica or wallet sciatica, first described in 1928 by Yeoman. It usually occurs due to abnormalities in piriformis muscle such as hypertrophy, inflammation and anatomic variations resulting in irritation and entrapment of sciatic nerve. The diagnosis of piriformis syndrome is made by clinical features, electromyography and nerve conduction velocity, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and bone scan. Management of piriformis syndrome includes nonsurgical and surgical interventions. Non-surgical management includes- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, ultrasound, correction of biomechanical abnormality, lifestyle modifications, local anesthetic and/or steroid injection into the piriformis muscle. Surgical management includes-surgical release of piriformis muscle and decompression of the sciatic nerve. Piriformis Syndrome- a review.