Piriformis Syndrome Quiz
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Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
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How Ubie Can Help You
With an easy 3-min questionnaire , Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.
Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔︎ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
Thigh pain when resting
Sharp stabbing pain in the thigh
Thigh pain when sleeping
I have pain in my left thigh
Pain in upper thigh
Nerve pain in thigh
The left inner thigh hurts
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Developed by doctors.
What is Piriformis Syndrome?
The sciatic nerve is responsible for muscle control and sensation of the leg. Sometimes, it can be compressed by the piriformis muscle in the buttocks. This can result in symptoms that are often similar to a slipped disc or nerve compression in the spine.
Typical Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome
Thigh pain
Pain when exerting physically e.g. climbing the stairs
Tingling or pricking numbness in the legs even when keeping still
Numbness of the thigh
Numbness anywhere from the knees to the ankles
Numbness or abnormal sensation
Lower back pain when lifting heavy things or slouching
Tingling or prickling sensation of the skin
Doctor's Diagnostic Questionson Piriformis Syndrome
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Are your thighs hurting?
Does pain improve with rest but worsen with movement?
Do you have tingling or numbness in your legs even when you're not moving?
Do your thighs feel numb?
Do you have numbness in your lower legs?
Treatmentof Piriformis Syndrome
Most treatments are aimed at decreasing compression on the nerve. The majority of times this can be achieved with rest, physical therapy, activity modifications, and sometimes use of medications. Rarely injections or surgery is indicated to address severe nerve compression not resolved with other methods
Think you might have
Piriformis Syndrome
View the symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome
Diseases related to Piriformis Syndrome
References
Probst D, Stout A, Hunt D. Piriformis Syndrome: A Narrative Review of the Anatomy, Diagnosis, and Treatment. PM R. 2019 Aug;11 Suppl 1:S54-S63. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12189. Epub 2019 Jul 22. PMID: 31102324.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pmrj.12189
Kirschner JS, Foye PM, Cole JL. Piriformis syndrome, diagnosis and treatment. Muscle Nerve. 2009 Jul;40(1):10-8. doi: 10.1002/mus.21318. PMID: 19466717.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mus.21318
Hicks BL, Lam JC, Varacallo M. Piriformis Syndrome. 2022 Apr 21. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 28846222.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448172/
Cass SP. Piriformis syndrome: a cause of nondiscogenic sciatica. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2015 Jan;14(1):41-4. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000110. PMID: 25574881.
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/Fulltext/2015/01000/Piriformis_Syndrome__A_Cause_of_Nondiscogenic.12.aspx
Boyajian-O'Neill LA, McClain RL, Coleman MK, Thomas PP. Diagnosis and management of piriformis syndrome: an osteopathic approach. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2008 Nov;108(11):657-64. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2008.108.11.657. PMID: 19011229.
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2008.108.11.657/html
User Testimonials
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Think you might have
Piriformis Syndrome
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