A piriformis muscle injection is used as one of the last treatments for patients suffering from Piriformis syndrome. Before this can even be considered as an option for treatment, a thorough inspection is required to ensure the patient’s safety. The patient’s medical history will be closely examined and he will also be instructed to participate in a physical exam. The physician also needs to ensure that the patient isn’t suffering from:
These are common diagnoses that can be the reason behind the patient’s pain and can be treated with alternative methods. If the physician comes to the conclusion that these diagnoses do not apply to the patient, the patient is likely to have piriformis syndrome.
Piriformis syndrome is known to be the result of irritation, compression, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve caused by the piriformis muscle. The muscle is likely to be inflamed due to overuse or trauma. Common risk factors for piriformis syndrome include:
An individual suffering from piriformis syndrome is likely to feel pain in the buttock area that extends down to the leg. This pain is worsened after being seated for a long while and when rising from the seated position.
The procedure itself is designed to relieve buttock pain that – in some cases – radiates up into the back and down into the leg. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be broken down into a few steps.
The anesthetic will first numb the skin and tissue underneath. The physician then guides the needle through the anesthetized track, using the fluoroscope to locate the piriformis muscle. A contrast solution is applied to help the physician identify the point of entry and adjust the needle tip accordingly. An injection is then used to bathe the piriformis muscle in a steroid-anesthetic mix used to soothe the affected muscle. The needle is removed and a small bandage is applied to the surface wound. This process may need to be repeated as many as three times for the patient to fully benefit from the treatment.
The pain experts at Garden State Pain Control can analyze your specific chronic pain and pursue a piriformis muscle injection if necessary. Request an appointment today at one of our New Jersey locations and take the first step on the road to a life free of chronic pain.