The Piriformis Syndrome: A Review

Piriformis syndrome is a controversial cause of hip and low back pain whose etiology stems from anatomic irregularities of the piriformis muscle and surrounding structures of the posterior hip region. Although this syndrome has been described by many clinicians, the association of piriformis muscle dysfunction and pain in the hip region remains conjectural. The diagnosis is one of exclusion of other more common pain generators in the hip, pelvis, or low back.The authors of this article will review the anatomy of the region as it relates to piriformis muscle dysfunction and delineate the various clinical, radiological, and interventional procedures described in the literature to diagnose and treat this elusive syndrome.