Piriformis surgery on 9/8/09

ans · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 09:03 AM

Congratulations for a permanent "fix". I suspect piriformis syndrome; if this is what I have, the pain is tormenting. Good work!

Rob Wilson · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 06:21 PM

Sciatica and ART

Thanks for the encouragement. If you have a bad case of pirifirmis, it certainly can be life changing. Difficult to sit, drive, work and sleep. I took a long (3 hour drive yesterday) and now my opposite side is bothering me in the same piriformis type symptoms. Oh well. I just need to be thankful for my improved surgery left side.

ans · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 06:09 AM

Hi. This may sound incredibly stupid but I think I do have piriformis syndrome as I responded to an S-I injection given yesterday (no hip pain).

Here's stupid: Did you stretch your piriformis for a long time and also have Botox injections? The reason I ask is that your surgery seems intense and I"m not sure what you lose in terms of motion from this.

If I do have this pain, it is utterly maddening.

My very best ~ ans

Maria · #4 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 01:00 PM

Rob,
Thanks for posting your surgery and results to date. After my 2nd discectomy I had piraformis pain that was horrific and it lasted quite some time (years). I never had much diagnostic testing beyond multiple MRIs post failed discectomy but had nerve root blocks at S1 nerve root that didn't help.

Piraformis stretching used to feel good while stretching but I don't know that it helped as I did this for years...

Again, not really sure what alleviated the pain that was deemed "piraformis syndrome" for me but I was soooo extremely glad to be rid of it as it was terrible whatever the cause.

Another type of pain that has left me over the years has been the terrible tailbone pain I had for so many years post failed discectomy as well.

I really don't know what was related to what but somehow I feel that time seemed to heal things but if there's a way to not wait *forever* and have to stop working/living while waiting for perhaps things to heal.. then it's ever so good to read about a physician skilled in diagnosing this problem and treating it surgically.

Hope you continue to improve daily!

Rob Wilson · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 06:55 PM

These issues are so difficult diagnose. It could be due SI joint, hip, various SI ligaments, various muscle dysfunction (of which piriformis is included). Many have similar symptoms and many are the cause or symptom of the other. All of a sudden I have SI joint or pirifirmis on my opposite sie. It is all very complicated but get agood pain managment person and they can really help to figure it out.

Ans - it is a little early to make any rash judegments re my surgery but I do not anticipate any significant loss in strength or flexibility in the long term.

ans · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 11:58 PM

I wish you well in your brave decision. You certainly have been thru the mill and yes, it seems so hard to sort out these intense diffuse pains.

You really thought this one out. Hope this is the good final fix for you.

Best ~ Allan

wilsonrob · #7 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009, 06:14 PM

3 1/2 month update for left piriformis surgery to remove muscle and decompress the sciatic nerve. Most of my leg cramping and sciatica is gone. Unfortunately it seems to have been replaced by some numbness in my butt and rear thigh. I was hoping I would see some decrease in the numbmness by now but it is still significant. I did not have this before the surgery. Oh well. I am going to see a pain management specialist who does CT guided injections in the piriformis area. Maybe a little injection might calm things down. We shall see what he says. Maybe it could make things worse though. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks