The ‘Piriformis Syndrome’ and an Analysis of Therapeutic Interventions: a Narrative Review.
Item
- Title
- The ‘Piriformis Syndrome’ and an Analysis of Therapeutic Interventions: a Narrative Review.
- Title
- The ‘Piriformis Syndrome’ and an Analysis of Therapeutic Interventions: a Narrative Review.
- Author(s)
- Scarisbrick Joseph
- Abstract
- Background – Piriformis syndrome (PS) can be seen as a controversial diagnosis within the medical community due to its contentious aetiology and there is currently little evidence that provides a clear and effective treatment when it is diagnosed. Objectives – To analyse evidence in the literature and provide an unbiased view of the clinical prevalence and significance of a ‘piriformis syndrome’, any evidence for or against it, and the efficacy of techniques that are used to relieve the symptoms of said ‘piriformis syndrome’; surgical or non-surgical. Methods – Systematic computerised literature searches were conducted to find research and evaluative literature relevant to this review. A hand search of the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) was also conducted. Articles were assessed for their methodological quality using standardised criteria. Results – Eight studies were deemed to be of significant methodological quality, revealing that; anaesthetic, surgery and manual therapy all have a positive effect on reducing the symptoms of PS. Conclusion - Piriformis syndrome is caused by nerve entrapment in the buttock that has an ambiguous significance within manual therapy. Many argue for its cause and provide evidence for it, and there is less opposition attempting to give evidence against it. With relevance to osteopathic education and literature, there is enough strong evidence to accept that PS should be considered in diagnosis and therefore teaching.
- Abstract
- Background – Piriformis syndrome (PS) can be seen as a controversial diagnosis within the medical community due to its contentious aetiology and there is currently little evidence that provides a clear and effective treatment when it is diagnosed. Objectives – To analyse evidence in the literature and provide an unbiased view of the clinical prevalence and significance of a ‘piriformis syndrome’, any evidence for or against it, and the efficacy of techniques that are used to relieve the symptoms of said ‘piriformis syndrome’; surgical or non-surgical. Methods – Systematic computerised literature searches were conducted to find research and evaluative literature relevant to this review. A hand search of the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) was also conducted. Articles were assessed for their methodological quality using standardised criteria. Results – Eight studies were deemed to be of significant methodological quality, revealing that; anaesthetic, surgery and manual therapy all have a positive effect on reducing the symptoms of PS. Conclusion - Piriformis syndrome is caused by nerve entrapment in the buttock that has an ambiguous significance within manual therapy. Many argue for its cause and provide evidence for it, and there is less opposition attempting to give evidence against it. With relevance to osteopathic education and literature, there is enough strong evidence to accept that PS should be considered in diagnosis and therefore teaching.
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2011
- Date Submitted
- 3.2.2012 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Pub-Identifier
- 15099
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Piriformis syndrome; surgery; manual therapy; botulinum; osteopathy; periarthritis; sacroiliitis
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Scarisbrick Joseph, “The ‘Piriformis Syndrome’ and an Analysis of Therapeutic Interventions: a Narrative Review.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 1, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1741