The piriformis syndrome describes an irritation of the sciatic nerve. This happens when the sciatic nerve gets compressed between the pelvic bone and the piriformis muscle. It can cause numbness, tingling, pain and even muscular weakness in the lower extremities. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroid are often used for the treatment.
The piriformis muscle is a muscle located in the lower back in the pelvic region. The Piriformis syndrome occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed and irritated between the piriformis muscle and the pelvic bone. It results in pain, tingling, numbness and even muscular weakness along the nerve and therefore affects the legs and feet.
The piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve are both located in the lower back and both pass through the pelvis. When the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, the sciatic nerve will be irritated and lead to the piriformis syndrome. There are many daily activities that can result in this problem. For example, improper sitting position (unilateral sitting, sitting with a wallet in the back pocket), sitting for a long time, improper use of muscles while doing exercise, lifting objects or climbing stairs. Also, traumatic injuries can cause piriformis syndrome, such as car accidents, falling from a great height, or any injury that can irritate the lower back. People with piriformis syndrome often feel pain, tingling, numbness or even muscular weakness along the sciatic nerve. These symptoms may affect the whole lower extremities. These symptoms look very similar to those of a herniated disc. The symptoms may become worse during walking, running or moving. Especially outward rotating and abduction of the leg in the pelvic joint can trigger the symptoms.
The treatments of piriformis syndrome include physical therapy and medication. Proper muscle stretching and massages can help to relieve the discomfort and prevent getting the syndrome again. However, medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs can improve the symptoms. A local corticosteroid injection is often used to relieve the pain effectively for a short period of time. In severe cases, surgery is recommended to decompress the nerve.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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