PYRAMIDAL OR PYRIFORM SYNDROME
Pyramidal syndrome is the compression of the sciatic nerve by hypertrophy or shortening of the pyramidal muscle. The most frequent symptom it generates is pain in the central area of the buttock that radiates to the back of the thigh, rarely reaching the foot. It is usually accompanied by a tingling sensation in the area and difficulty walking. It usually changes throughout the day, worsens with exertion, and makes it impossible to sit for more than half an hour.
The pyramidal muscle originates in the anterior part of the sacrum (a large triangular bone at the base of the spine) leaves the pelvis, descends through the gluteal area, and inserts into the greater trochanter of the femur. It is one of the main external rotators when the hip is in a neutral position or in extension and separates the leg when it is in 90º flexion, providing stability during walking and standing.
On the other hand, the sciatic nerve is the most voluminous and longest nerve trunk in the body. It originates in the lumbar region and extends along both lower limbs. As it passes through the pelvic area, the sciatic nerve passes between the superior gemini muscle and the pyramidal muscle. For this reason, the shortening or hypertrophy of the latter can produce a compression of the sciatic nerve.
Shortening or hypertrophy can occur for many reasons, with long periods of sitting and physical inactivity being major causes, as can starting to do high-load exercise after a period of prolonged inactivity, doing an inadequate warm-up when starting to train or doing it on hard surfaces like cement.
From the point of view of osteopathy and physiotherapy, the first step that must be taken is a global assessment to know which structures are involved in the symptoms presented by the patient, to guarantee the mobility of the spine in general and of the area lumbar, pelvis and legs in particular. Then we will assess the soft tissues in the area, which muscles are dysfunctional, whether due to weakness or excess tone.
The objective of the osteopathy and physiotherapy session is to give mobility to the areas where there is movement restriction; we will use general mobility techniques, high speed techniques or vertebral adjustment, muscle inhibition and stretching, among other techniques.
From Somsalut we give you some advice so you can improve this pathology:
- Avoid prolonged sitting
- Decrease intense physical activity at first
- Perform stretching exercises for the pyramidal muscle
- Perform hip mobility exercises that will help restore proper hip posture
- Do not hesitate to contact us if you need help or have any questions.
References
Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-fitness-workout-muscles-fit-4618189/