Journal List > J Korean Orthop Assoc > v.40(2) > 1012371

TOOLS
Lee, Kim, Cho, Ryu, and Chun: Sciatic Pain Caused by Piriformis Syndrome
Original Article

Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association 2005; 40(2): 143-148.

Published online: 28 December 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2005.40.2.143

Sciatic Pain Caused by Piriformis Syndrome

Sang Un Lee, Ki Tack Kim, Yoon Je Cho, Kyung Nam Ryu, Young Soo Chun

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.

Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sun Lin Hospital, Handong University, Pohang, Korea.

ktkim@khmc.or.kr

Copyright © 2005 The Korean Orthopaedic Association

Abstract

Purpose

Sciatic pain rarely develops from piriformis syndrome; thus, its differential diagnosis from other diseases associated with sciatic pain is essential. We analysed the clinical symptoms and radiological findings for the differential diagnosis of piriformis syndrome, and assessed the results of its treatment.

Materials and Methods

We analysed five patients diagnosed with piriformis syndrome. Four patients were treated with a tenotomy. Of these, three had a history of misdiagnosis. The hypertrophied piriformis muscle was revealed with a compressed sciatic nerve in the operative field. We performed a tenotomy of the piriformis at the site of the tendinous insertion to decompress the sciatic nerve.

Results

At the average follow up was 23.5 months, at which time no patients had any problems relating to tenderness and sciatic pain, and were able to return to normal activity one month postoperatively. All patients evaluated their postoperative clinical state as being better.

Conclusion

Multiple approaches are essential for the diagnosis of piriformis syndrome. We can obtain the satisfactory results through a tenotomy of the piriformis for the decompression of the sciatic nerve in intractable cases as a conservative treatment.

Keywords: Sciatic pain, Piriformis syndrome, Tenotomy

TOOLS
Similar articles