Differences between piriformis syndrome and sciatica (Piriformis Syndrome)

Piriformis Syndrome

A common symptom of piriformis syndrome is pain along the sciatica nerve, so it is often thought that piriformis syndrome causes sciatica. However, piriformis syndrome does not involve a radiculopathy - a disc extending beyond its usual location in the vertebral column that impinges or irritates the nerve root - so it is technically not sciatica. Instead, with piriformis syndrome, it is the piriformis muscle itself that irritates the sciatic nerve and causes sciatic pain.

The piriformis is a muscle located deep in the hip that runs in close proximity to the sciatic nerve. The piriformis syndrome is used to describe when the piriformis muscle becomes tight and/or inflamed; which may cause irritation of the sciatic nerve. This irritation leads to sciatica-like pain, tingling and numbness that run from the lower back, to the rear and sometimes down the leg and into the foot.

Piriformis Syndrome

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