A condition which may include: pain at the SI joint, behind your hip, down the leg and difficulty walking due to irritation or entrapment of the sciatic nerve (a very large leg nerve) because of the piriformis muscle which is located within the buttock region.
Possible Causes
- You may be sitting too much
- Injury such as falling on your bottom
- You may have a poor posture such as "swayback posture" in which your pelvis is more forward than optimal and your knees are fully locked. This usually indicates gluteal muscle weakness.
- Having a unique anatomy in which the sciatic nerve journeys through the piriformis instead of under it.
- Having a unique anatomy such as Morton’s Foot Syndrome- when the second metatarsal (the bone inside your foot behind your second toe) is longer causing a different gait (walking pattern).
- You may have spinal or joint restrictions in your pelvis, legs, or feet.
Treatments:
- Have the muscle treated - trigger point therapy or massage.
- Have your low back, pelvis, and feet adjusted (as applies to you)
- Learn postural and gait exercises (as it applies to you)
- Learn about anti-inflammatory diet to reduce impact and injury to the nerve
Home Care:
The best things to do at home are to move and perform stretches on both sides for the area. See Piriformis Muscle Article. If the cause of your condition is more involved such as some of those listed above, the doctor may have more recommendations for you.