Piriformis syndrome and sciatica are two conditions that oftentimes get confused with one another because they usually present with similar symptoms. The underlying mechanism is also somewhat similar, meaning that it’s not uncommon for patients to assume they are dealing with one condition when they are actually dealing with the other. To help you understand and distinguish between the two conditions, we’re going to use today’s blog to take a closer look at piriformis syndrome and sciatica.
Piriformis Syndrome Or Sciatica?
Both piriformis syndrome and sciatica can cause pain, discomfort, numbness and muscle weakness in your lower back, buttocks and legs, so it’s easy to see how the conditions can be confused with one another. However, they are actually two distinct conditions:
- Piriformis Syndrome – Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which your sciatic nerve is irritated, damaged or compressed by your piriformis muscle. This muscle runs from your lower spine through your butt to the top of your thigh, aiding in most lower body movements. Your sciatic nerves typically run beneath this muscle, but if the muscle ends up irritating the sciatic nerve, piriformis syndrome can develop. Irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle tends to cause symptoms in your buttocks, hips and thighs.
- Sciatica – We’ve talked about sciatica on this blog in the past, but sciatica describes a collection of symptoms that occur when your sciatic nerve is irritated, compressed or inflamed. Oftentimes sciatica symptoms are felt as a result of spinal degeneration. A narrowing spinal column (spinal stenosis) or a shifted intervertebral disc (herniated disc) are two common causes of sciatica.
Essentially, sciatica is a term to describe the symptoms you are experiencing when a condition like acute trauma, spinal stenosis or a shifted spinal disc irritates or compresses your sciatic nerve. Piriformis syndrome occurs when it’s the piriformis muscle that is causing the sciatic nerve compression.
Due to the location of where the nerve irritation tends to occur, piriformis syndrome more commonly presents with pain in the hips and buttocks, whereas the discomfort of sciatica tends to radiate further, oftentimes into the thigh, legs or even down to the feet. Even if you believe you know which of the two conditions you are dealing with, it is typically in your best interest to connect with your primary care physician or a spine specialist to get a true diagnosis. The conditions are similar, but in order to pursue the most effective form of treatment, we really need to understand exactly what’s going on in your body.
Your doctor will begin by asking about your symptoms, including which movements cause worsening symptoms and which actions seem to bring relief. They’ll also conduct a physical assessment and may have you perform some simple movements to see how your body responds. Finally, imaging tests are usually ordered to pinpoint the source of your discomfort. An X-ray can help determine if a spinal disc is causing the nerve irritation, but an MRI or CT scan may be more beneficial if the doctor wants a better look at the soft tissues in the area.
Both conditions typically respond well to conservative care techniques. You will get some individualized advice, but most patients are told to pursue a combination of non-operative techniques including physical therapy, posture improvements, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medications, ergonomic adjustments at work and home, regular exercise and hot/cold therapy. Most patients see their symptoms greatly improve or disappear over the course of a few weeks of targeted treatment.
So if you believe you’re dealing with piriformis syndrome, sciatica or another issue in your lower back, consider connecting with Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute. He’ll work hard to uncover the root cause of discomfort and set you up with a care plan to help resolve your issue. For more information, contact Dr. Jackman’s office today at (651) 430-3800.
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