Piriformis syndrome

[alwaysinjured]

Hi,

I have been plagued with injury problems with my glutes and piriformis for nearly 2 years. Tried lots and lots of different treatments (massage, tennis ball, foam roller, chiropractor adjustments, different physios, accupuncture) but whilst the muscle (main problem is piriformis) might relax partially for a few hours, the problem always returns. Basically, the muscle is riddled with trigger points and is constantly tight and sore. The whole area is knotted up.

I've been off the bike completely for a number of weeks now and I'm just wondering if anyone else had anything similar - and if so - have they managed to solve the problem and get back on the bike!

Cheers

 

[David Suro]

Is your piriformis syndrome unilateral or bilateral?

 

[David Suro]

Where do you live? I will be in Moab this weekend for the 24 hour race as part of the medical staff. By luck, will you be there as well?

My practice is in Highlands Ranch, CO.

I have had success treating piriformis syndrome.

 

[alwaysinjured]

Hi - thanks for the quick replies.

I'm assuming that uni- and bi-lateral means on one or both sides of the body? It is predominantly on the left side - although occasionally have some problems on the right.

As for my location, I am in Ireland, funnily enough I was actually inCO and in Moab a few months ago - great spot for off-road! How did you have success treating it? It does seem to respond to the acupuncture (5 sessions now, also with some kind of electro-stimulation), but a few hours later my leg is jumping around again and all the glutes and hip area is tight and sore and knotted again....

 

[David Suro]

Without being able to perform a complete exam, it is diffucult to recommend a plan of treatment.

Piriformis syndrome can be a tricky diagnosis. Ischeal tuberosity bursitis presents in a very similar way, as do sacral misalignments.

For a tight piriformis I recommend PNF stretching (you can google it) several times per day.

If cycling is the primary irritant, a change in saddle may help a lot. Having your fit evaluated by a pro custom fit specialist is also a good idea.

The primary funtion of the piriformis is to laterally rotate the thigh. If you have imbalances in your medial vs. lateral rotators of the thigh this may be an underlying cause.

 

[brianf7]

brianf7

A number of isues can lead to this in my case it was seat set back too far and arthritice in the Laberum Acetibulum. Also the hip flexor on same side can cause these problems try a lung stretch slowly and carefully to see if its tight in that area.

Mine started when I broken a pedal axel at start of a time trial 55x21 then 5.4.3.2.1 bang ond down on the deck. Lucky no broken hip

Never been right since that was 15 years ago.
never give up it wont get better not riding just try everything we are all different. something will work eventualy

 

[alwaysinjured]

Thanks David -

I will try the PNF stretches that I found through google. I actually did change my saddle a few months back to see if it helped - but I think that the problem is so bad now that it won't help it on its own (off bike for 4 weeks now anyway). I actually think now that my saddle was originally slightly too high, I guess this might have helped cause it. The plan was to get the muscle relaxed and repaired, then go to get a proper bikefit when I'm starting back on the bike - problem is that it won't seem to release at all for more than a few hours. When I'm on the bike my knees are pointed out to the left and move all over the place - I think my left glute area basically just isn't working. Anyway - thanks for the stretches.

Brian -

My left hip flexor is actually extremely tight too - sore to touch and sore to walk at the moment - although the hip tightness seems to come in phases. Trying to stretch that out - but it is hard to get that to work too. Guess I'll just keep trying and hopefully get back racing next year.

 

[brianf7]

Just do the lunges every day and try a bit more ever time untill it stops hurting.
Supose you dont do a lot of walking like most cyclist. (and me)
Weight bearing exercise it good while walking up hill push the leg back and drive you will feel the flexors work.
Work on every part of the hips and itb if one muscle is soar others will recrute instead and then it gets weaker shorter and tight.

I am 65 yo and had these problems since 1960 but still going what started out as growing pains ended up as Arthritice. move it or lose it.

Still racing but always get flash backs it the TT count down.

Brian