Periformis Sciatic Pain (deep butt & thigh) - Back Problems Message Board

hwakeunhan · 02-06-2003, 12:32 PM

Has anyone ever suffered from periformis sciatic pain? I went to the chiropractor and we were able to confirm on this diagnosis which an orthopedist & osteopath failed to (they kept insisting it's my disc and prescribed anti-inflammatory & neurontin which did not help). My periformis muscle is too tight and it's toucing the nerve causing a nasty radiating pain through my butt and thigh all the way to my ankle.

My chiropractor gave acupuncture, ultra sound massage & performed some intense stretching. I'm still in great pain but feeling confident that I'll improve soon.

ScarS · 02-10-2003, 09:16 AM

Hi. I noticed you haven't gotten any replies so I thought I'd suggest going to the SEARCH option here with the word PIRIFORMIS. I found 24 previous messages and maybe you can get some info about it. I have had Piriformis Syndrome in the past and it's a butt muscle that can irritate the sciatic nerve. Massage, heat, mild stretches can help some and if it's really serious, doctors can cut the muscle, but that's a last resort. Good luck.

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Had posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4/L5/S1 on Jan. 30,'01 with 6 pedicle screws, 2 Steffe plates, 4 Brantigan carbon fiber cages and my own hip graft for spondylolisthesis. Wear leg braces (afo's on both legs)for drop foot from nerve damage.

hwakeunhan · 02-10-2003, 09:34 AM

Thanks for your post. My pain is getting worse by the moment. I've had nasty back and sciatic pain before but this is the certainly the worst.

BAXTER · 02-10-2003, 12:02 PM

Hi Hwakeunhan,

I don't have any advice, I just wanted to say hello, and that I hope that you feel better really soon

Be Well,
Baxter

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Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

successtory · 02-10-2003, 03:00 PM

Hi Hwakeunhan,

The doctors at Kaiser said I had piriformis syndrome before my current doctor put me through tests and an MRI (which only showed a slight bulge). My chiro (primary physician) told me that if the piriformis muscle gets inflamed or damaged, it lays directly above the sciatic nerve which runs up and down while the piriformis runs length-ways across the top of the butt (so if you were to picture it...it would look like a 'T'...where the top part of the 'T' is the piriformis muscle and the trunk of the 'T' is the sciatic nerve.

Your doctor is doing the right things for this syndrome (if that IS what you have). I'm sure he gave you the 'twist' test. That's where you turn your hips to the right and then to the left (instead of top of trunk twisting...your hips are twisting). If there is pain caused by this action...it is 'definitely' the piriformis, if not....you need to search further. Have you had an MRI? It is the first test doctors will "normally" give you when they need to see what is going on.

Another thought.....water therapy. Ask you doctor if that is for you. Just make sure you have a good water therapist before you jump into the water (so don't just get a YMCA membership....go through a therapist). You also need to make sure your ab muscles are good so you can get in and out of the pool....but your therapist will know to make sure you are OK in that arena.

I hope this helps. I just hope you are staying off your rump. No driving. No sitting (for longer than you can stand). No bending. No vacuuming (one of the WORST for piriformis/sciatic pain)....same with laundry. If you are on rest (per your doctor)...please REST. Do NOT take that time to do all those errands you just haven't had time for. This time off should be just that....your muscle and sciatic nerve need relief. So slow down....and rest. It takes double the time for back injuries to heal (at least) because (1) there is no blood supply going to our disks and (2) we are working with our central nervous system....we all must be careful there.

Well, I'm not sure if I answered anything here or not for you (hehe)-sorry.

But I sure hope you get some pain-free moments!

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successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.