Piriformis Muscle Injection
What is a Piriformis Muscle Injection?
The piriformis muscle is a pear shaped muscle located deep in the buttock. Piriformis strain and spasm can cause severe buttock pain that sometimes goes down upto the ankle. The piriformis muscle injection involves an injection of local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine into the piriformis muscle.
The injection will reduce inflammation, irritation and/or swelling around the piriformis muscle. It will take around 48 hours to start working.
This procedure is always performed using X-ray or ultrasound guidance in a day surgery setting.
Who needs a Piriformis muscle injection?
It is indicated for patients suffering with piriformis syndrome, a condition in which the piriformis muscle, located in the buttock region, spasms and causes buttock pain. The piriformis muscle can also irritate the nearby sciatic nerve and cause pain, numbness and tingling along the back of the leg and into the foot.
How is it performed?
At Atlas pain care, this procedure is performed using X-ray or Ultrasound guidance in the day surgery setting. A needle is placed inside the muscle belly and a mixture of local anaesthetic and steroid is injected into the muscle. The procedure will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. After the procedure you will remain in the recovery room for approximately one hour and will be discharged after that. The injection will be followed up by an intense recovery program designed by our physiotherapists that involves stretching and strengthening exercises.
What are the complications?
The medicine will take approximately 48 hours to start working. During this time there may be a window of increased discomfort or pain. Heaviness in the leg can occur on the side of injection. It will wear off in few hours and activity should be kept to a minimum until the full leg sensation returns.
Please read our FAQ section to know more about the do's and don'ts prior to and after the procedure.