Evaluation of neural therapy effect in patients with piriformis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of neural therapy on pain and functionality in patients with low back pain due to piriformis syndrome. It also aimed to find out any possible links between the clinical changes and demographic features. METHOD: One hundred and two patients were randomly divided into two groups (neural therapy and control). All patients were given stretching exercises for the piriformis muscle. The patients in the neural therapy group additionally received 6 sessions of neural therapy. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were noted before and after the treatment in both groups. RESULTS: The VAS and ODI improved in both groups. However, improvement of the VAS and ODI scores were more obvious in the neural therapy group. The changes of VAS and ODI values did not show any correlations with the demographic features. CONCLUSION: After the neural therapy, the patients with low back pain due to piriformis syndrome may have improvement in both pain and functioning.

Electrophysiologically identified piriformis syndrome is successfully treated with incobotulinum toxin a and physical therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Piriformis syndrome is entrapment of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. METHODS: In this article we describe a 56-person randomized, double-blind, controlled study involving physical therapy and incobotulinum toxin A or placebo. Inclusion criteria were 3-SD delay of posterior tibial (PT) or fibular (FN) H-reflexes on flexion, adduction, and internal rotation (FAIR) testing, and normal paraspinal electromyographic findings. Outcome measures included adverse side effects, visual analog scale (VAS) findings, and H-reflex delay on the FAIR test. RESULTS: Mean intervention VAS score decreased significantly more compared with placebo at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks post-injection (P < 0.0001). FAIR test scores for PT, but not FN, decreased significantly more compared with placebo at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks post-injection (PT: P = 0.038, 0.003, 0.003, and 0.046). Adverse effects were minimal. VAS slope and PT FAIR test results varied significantly (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Incobotulinum toxin A chemodenervation may be useful for treating piriformis syndrome as identified by the FAIR test. Muscle Nerve 56: 258-263, 2017.

Lumbalgia de evolución tórpida / Low back pain of unfavourable progression

Presentamos el caso de un paciente con lumbalgia crónica de tórpida evolución a pesar del tratamiento farmacológico pautado que manifestó sintomatología relacionada con la compresión del nervio ciático en una zona atípica: su paso a través del músculo piriforme, diagnosticándose de síndrome del músculo piriforme. Este diagnóstico se basa en las manifestaciones clínicas y en la realización de determinadas pruebas, siendo las pruebas de imagen en general absolutamente normales. El tratamiento fundamentalmente es con antiinflamatorios no esteroideos, relajantes musculares y ejercicios de estiramiento de este músculo (AU)

We present the case of a patient with chronic low back pain with an unfavourable progression despite the prescribed pharmacological treatment. The patient had symptoms associated with compression of the sciatic nerve in an atypical area. As it passed through the piriformis muscle, it was diagnosed as piriformis muscle syndrome. This diagnosis was based on the clinical signs and symptoms and the determination of the tests performed, with the imaging tests being absolutely normal. Treatment is basically with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and stretching exercises of this muscle (AU)

Anatomical variation of piriformis muscle as a cause of deep gluteal pain: diagnosis using MR neurography and treatment / Variação anatômica do músculo piriforme como causa de dor glútea profunda: diagnóstico por neurografia RM e seu tratamento

Female patient, 42 years old with a history of low back pain on the left for seventeen years in which the definitive diagnosis of the etiology of pain was evident after the completion of neurography magnetic resonance imaging of the sciatic nerve. In this test it was identified the presence of an anatomical variation in the relationship between the piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve. We discuss details of this imaging technique and its importance in the frames of refractory low back pain. We also describe the treatment given to the case. .

Paciente do sexo feminino, 42 anos, com histórico de lombociatalgia à esquerda havia 17 anos. O diagnóstico definitivo da etiologia da dor só foi evidenciado após a neurografia por ressonância magnética do ciático. Nesse exame identificou-se a presença de variação anatômica entre o músculo piriforme e o nervo ciático. Descrevemos detalhes sobre a técnica de imagem e sua importância nos quadros de lombociatalgia refratária, como também o tratamento instituído para o caso.

Treatment of an individual with piriformis syndrome focusing on hip muscle strengthening and movement reeducation: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To describe an alternative treatment approach for piriformis syndrome using a hip muscle strengthening program with movement reeducation. BACKGROUND: Interventions for piriformis syndrome typically consist of stretching and/or soft tissue massage to the piriformis muscle. The premise underlying this approach is that a shortening or "spasm" of the piriformis is responsible for the compression placed upon the sciatic nerve. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 30-year-old male with right buttock and posterior thigh pain for 2 years. Clinical findings upon examination included reproduction of symptoms with palpation and stretching of the piriformis. Movement analysis during a single-limb step-down revealed excessive hip adduction and internal rotation, which reproduced his symptoms. Strength assessment revealed weakness of the right hip abductor and external rotator muscles. The patient's treatment was limited to hip-strengthening exercises and movement reeducation to correct the excessive hip adduction and internal rotation during functional tasks. OUTCOMES: Following the intervention, the patient reported 0/10 pain with all activities. The initial Lower Extremity Functional Scale questionnaire score of 65/80 improved to 80/80. Lower extremity kinematics for peak hip adduction and internal rotation improved from 15.9 degrees and 12.8 degrees to 5.8 degrees and 5.9 degrees, respectively, during a step-down task. DISCUSSION: This case highlights an alternative view of the pathomechanics of piriformis syndrome (overstretching as opposed to overshortening) and illustrates the need for functional movement analysis as part of the examination of these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 4.