Piriformis Injection for Effective Pain Relief

The piriformis muscle runs from the lower back through the buttocks and to the top of the thighs. Piriformis pain can be caused by an inflamed or scarred piriformis muscle and is typically signified by shooting pain down the leg, buttocks or hip. A piriformis injection is a steroid injection into the muscle that can help relieve the pain.

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Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle places pressure on the sciatic nerve, putting it under stress and causing pain, weakness and numbness. A cortisone shot in the buttocks treats sciatica by reducing inflammation and thereby lessening the pain.

How Does a Piriformis Muscle Injection Work?

A piriformis syndrome shot, consisting of a local anesthetic and steroid (cortisone), is injected directly into the piriformis muscle. The local anesthetic helps block the nerve signals to the brain, and the steroid relieves inflammation.

Before the Injection

Prior to getting a piriformis muscle injection, let the specialist know if:

You’re taking antibiotics or blood thinning medications like warfarin
You have allergies
You have diabetes or are awaiting a diagnosis
You’re feeling unwell or have a persistent cough or an infection
You’re pregnant or could be pregnant

During the Procedure

A piriformis injection usually lasts a few minutes. A topical anesthetic is applied to the area, and an ultrasound is used to accurately locate the muscle and visualize the injection. You’ll then get injected with a mixture of local anesthetic and a steroid.

After the Injection

You’ll feel pain relief within a week, and results can last for weeks, months or years. However, it’s important to remember every patient’s response is different. Injections can be repeated three to four times a year under the guidance of your spinal specialist.

Side Effects of Steroid Injection in Buttocks

Some side effects of the injection can include redness, bruising, swelling, pain or muscle spasms in the injection area. Some people may also experience slight symptoms of nausea, sweating and dizziness. Other side effects could include:

Facial flushing
Menstrual cycle changes
Bleeding around the injection area
Damage to small veins in the injection area
An allergic reaction to the injection, which could cause anaphylaxis
Raised glucose levels if you have diabetes
Infection

Why Trust the Team at New York Spine Institute

Many patients choose our spine specialists to perform piriformis ultrasound injections with care and precision. We take a patient-first approach and ensure you’re comfortable and ready, explaining every part of the procedure before beginning.

With years of experience and a passion for patient well-being, we use our expertise to put you on the road to recovery. Here’s why we’re one of the leaders in spinal care:

Individualized Care

Every patient’s lifestyle, type of pain and goals are different. Get a treatment plan unique to you.

Multilingual Staff

Our staff speaks French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese to accommodate patients from various backgrounds.

Industry Specialists

Our specialists are seasoned professionals who are trained to provide expert care.