Information: Piriformis Syndrome Physical Exam

Animation:  Critical physical exam for muscle based piriformis syndrome.

The patient's foot is placed lateral to the contralateral knee. Resisted abduction or adduction against the examiner's hand may reproduce the symptoms. Straight leg raising is typically negative.

There is often relief obtained by traction on the involved leg, particularly by pulling upwards at a ten to twenty degree angle and towards the contralateral side by a similar amount. The distribution of symptoms typically involves both L5 (big toe) and S1 (small toe) components because this a pan-sciatic syndrome. The symptoms often progress no further than the ankle in distinction to sciatica from a lumbar disk which typically radiates into the toes.

 

 


Piriformis Syndrome Information
Piriformis Syndrome Diagnosis
Piriformis Syndrome Treatment
Anatomy of Piriformis Muscle and Sciatic Nerve
Physical Exam Findings and Key Symptoms
Image Anatomy for Injections

MR Neurography Image Findings in Piriformis Syndrome
Open MRI Guided Injection of the Piriformis Muscle
Outpatient minimally invasive surgical treatment