Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome in Beverly Hills

Sciatica refers to pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve, which starts in the buttocks and travels down both legs. Sciatic pain often gets worse with sitting, especially on hard or uneven surfaces, or with certain activities. Sciatica can be caused by nerve irritation anywhere along the course of the nerve, but is often due to a herniated disc, bone spurs, or soft tissue irritation of the nerve.

Piriformis syndrome is a condition characterized by pain in the buttocks and/or lower back that often radiates to the leg. The condition involves the piriformis muscle in the buttock region. The large sciatic nerve often runs directly next to or through the piriformis muscle, which can cause irritation and compression of the sciatic nerve.

Causes of Piriformis syndrome

This condition is often caused by swelling or spasm of the piriformis muscle which can lead to compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve. Certain structural variations in the anatomy of the sciatic nerve and piriformis muscle can predispose a person to this condition. Often this condition is caused by trauma or sports injuries that involve:

• Trauma to the buttocks
• Strain or sprain
• Overuse injuries
• Hematoma
• Scar formation