Piriformis syndrome is a challenging cause of buttock pain in runners and other athletes. Often it develops over time but occasionally it can be related to a traumatic event.
Signs and symptoms
An athlete often complains of pain in the buttock and occasionally pain that runs down the back of the thigh. With piriformis syndrome, you usually do not experience numbness, tingling, weakness or pain that radiates down your leg like you might if you have sciatica.
Treatment of piriformis syndrome
Treatment of piriformis syndrome is usually nonsurgical. Rest or avoiding offending activities, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy for dry needling, other manual therapy, stretching and strengthening the muscles around the hip and pelvis can all be helpful. Occasionally, injections of the nerve roots or other areas of the hip and pelvis can be attempted, depending on the source of the symptoms.
Also read:
Hamstring strain: Mechanism of injury, diagnosis and treatment options
Running injury: 5 of the most common injuries runners suffer
Recommended Products and Resources
Click here to go to Dr. David Geier’s Amazon Influencer store!
Due to a large number of questions I have received over the years asking about products for health, injuries, performance, and other areas of sports, exercise, work and life, I have created an Amazon Influencer page. While this information and these products are not intended to treat any specific injury or illness you have, they are products I use personally, have used or have tried, or I have recommended to others. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS OR INACTION ON A USER’S PART BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED ON THE SITE. Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
