Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, located in the buttock region, spasms and causes buttock pain. The piriformis muscle also can irritate the nearby sciatic nerve and cause pain, numbness and tingling along the back of the leg and into the foot (similar to sciatic pain).
Lesion of sciatic nerve, unspecified lower limb. Lesion of sciatic nerve; Neuropathy (nerve damage), sciatic; Piriformis syndrome. ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G57.00.
The piriformis muscle is a flat, band-like muscle located in the buttocks near the top of the hip joint. This muscle is important in lower body movement because it stabilizes the hip joint and lifts and rotates the thigh away from the body.
In several articles, piriformis syndrome is defined as a peripheral neuritis of the branches of the sciatic nerve caused by an abnormal condition of the piriformis muscle (PM), such as an injured or irritated muscle.
So – to summarise – the main difference between piriformis syndrome and sciatica is that piriformis syndrome is mostly local buttock pain and in worse cases some leg pain. Sciatica is typified with lower back pain, buttock pain and leg pain which tracks down the back of the leg.
Although there isn't a specific ICD-10-CM code for pain in the buttock, you can use M79. 1 Myalgia. In the clinical description for M79.
Piriformis is a flat muscle and the most superficial muscle of the deep gluteal muscles. It is part of the lateral rotators of the hip (obturator internus, superior and inferior gemelli, quadratus femoris, obturator externus, and gluteus maximus).
Pelvic floor myalgia and other disorders of the pelvic floor musculature, such as piriformis syndrome, are often identified by a medical history and single-digit examination of the pelvic floor.
The piriformis helps the thigh move side to side. Specifically, the piriformis laterally rotates the femur with hip extension and abducts the femur with hip flexion.
There are currently no scientifically backed tests to diagnose piriformis syndrome. Healthcare professionals often make the diagnosis by examining your medical history and using a series of physical tests to rule out conditions like sciatica, a lumbar sprain, or a disc injury.
Piriformis syndrome causes pain in the buttocks and hip. It occurs when the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve. This irritation can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and shooting sensations in the buttocks and hip, and sometimes in the thighs and legs.
Piriformis syndrome is a common cause of low back pain. It is often not included in the differential diagnosis of back, buttock, and leg pain.