Blog
Deep Gluteal Syndrome
- October 14, 2022
- Posted by: Pieter Kroon
- Category: Continuing Education
We hear the term “Piriformis Syndrome” in our work at Mondo Sports Therapy almost every day. It appears that a lot of people have heard that the Piriformis can cause gluteal pain, but most people do not know the details behind the term. Over the past decade, the term “Deep Gluteal Syndrome” has come to replace the term “Piriformis Syndrome”, since deep posterior hip pain can result from entrapment of the sciatic- or other nerves by several different structures in the deep gluteal space, not just the piriformis. Piriformis Syndrome can be classified as a subgroup of DGS, but not all deep gluteal pain is Piriformis Syndrome! It is just one component of DGS, and a broad spectrum of pelvic conditions not associated with the Piriformis can cause similar symptoms. These structures include the Obturator Internus, Gemelli, proximal Hamstring, fibrous and vascular bands, and ischiofemoral impingement. We cannot definitely say that the piriformis is the specific muscle that is irritating the sciatic nerve. All we can say with confidence is that there is some disturbance of the nerve, and that disturbance is not coming from the back. This makes Deep Gluteal Syndrome a more appropriate term. If you are struggling in your daily practice with patients with this diagnosis, and you want to hear more about it, come check out Katie Gwyn’s and Pieter Kroon’s lecture at the upcoming AAOMPT conference in San Diego: Deep Gluteal Syndrome: Beyond the Piriformis. We hope to see you there !
Pieter
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Thanks Pieter! See you at your talk!
Thanks
I live in a suburb of Rochester NY. I am having difficulty finding a specialist for this condition in my area. At this point I am willing to travel to relieve the pain..
Can you advise me too anyone???
TY
Tom