Piriformis release surgery, discussion and information

If stretching hamstrings exacerbates the problem, it may not be the piriformis that is the problem. It may be adhesions between the hamstring tendon and the sciatic nerve, down at the ischial tuberosity. It is very common for the hamstring tendon to become inflamed from sitting too long on a hard surface, then the inflammation causes scar tissue to form between the tendon and the sciatic nerve which is immediately next to it.

Dr. Hal Martin in Texas is quite good at diagnosing these "lower pelvis" problems. The Piriformis is mid to upper pelvis.

Of course every case is totally different.

Well, just think, Margie. Maybe as a result of the former botox injections you won't have any wrinkles in your butt.---ha!

I will say more about my botox injections later.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Shirley

My name is Crystal and I have been suffering from what I believe is Piriformis syndrome for a year. I was jogging and I got a sudden pain across my butt and down my leg. I had an MRI of my back and saw a neurosurgeon and he said y back looked fine and he sent me for injections. I had an s1 joint and hip bursa injection that brought no relief and then two piriformis injections that brought no relief and then a nerve block that brought no relief. I have had MRI's of my hip and thigh that didn't show anything was wrong. It hurts to sit and it hurts to walk a long distance also. I have pain in the middle of my buttock that shoots down my right leg and sometimes the pain goes to my right hip. I saw dr Keppler and he wants to do exploratory nerve surgery and release my piriformis. I am very scared right now as I don't know what to do. I am 39 and have two girls one who graduates high school this year. I am so afraid of having surgery and my pain getting worse. Any adivice for me would help and anyone who has had this surgery by this doctor and is doing better now please let me know.

Special prayers for Margie are being given. I'm excited for you!

Julie, how did your piriformis injection go?

I'm following all of your journeys with positive thoughts.

My piriformis muscle has been redeemed, now I'm out to get my tarlov cyst with vengeance!

Take care, Sadie

Julie - I wouldnt mind being your twin (even though you are a gal) Ahh 26 years old. I thought I remembered seeing your name in the yahoo group. So you are going to go to Dr. Filler and see about options?

Margie - good luck on your surgery. I'm sure your butt will surprise no one :} I'd be happy to let them see mine if they got rid of this stuff. Just curious, are you closer to Dr. Barbaro than Dr. Filler or does he do something differently that you are more comfortable with?

I saw my Pain Mgmt Dr. yesterday and asked him to do just the SI block or a boxtox to the piriformis, but not together. He said that we had already proved that some of the symptoms are from the SI joint because of the 3 guided injections there and to the piriformis last fall. I had to take a couple of months off the path to get a hernia fixed. He said pain in the SI joint can lead to all kinds of muscle spasms in the piriformis region. He wants to do RF ablation on the SI joint, I talked him into doing the botox on the piriformis first. I can tolerate the SI stuff right now a lot better than I can the butt, sciatica symptoms. So I'm waiting on them to call me back to set a time for that. I'm also starting some myofascial release therapy with a massage therapist to see if that does any good.

Aztec

Aztec: Actually, I'm not going to see Filler. I have appointments set up with Dr. Layzer and Barbaro in SF. And I'm 28 (I know, I know, BIG difference)

Sadie: no butt injection yet. They are in the midst of scheduling the appoinment and hopefully it will be next Monday at 1:00. Bilateral. Fun, fun, fun!

Margie: HOLY c**p, it's TOMORROW!!! I will be thinking of you all day. What time is the surgery supposed to start?

Talk to y'all later,
Julie

Crystal,

Surgery is very risky so most people wait at least a year before doing it.

During that year, try letting the muscle "calm down". For many that works. Your muscles might be spasming...that causes pain...the pain causes more spasming (automatic reaction by the body) and so on, it's a cycle.

To stop it, you must stop doing anything to aggravate the muscle. No sitting. At all. No walking long distances. No stretching. NOTHING that causes pain. Try this for 6 months and see if the pain subsides, then gradually reintroduce activities.

If the injections to your Piriformis didn't help, then generally that means it's not your piriformis. So why would the surgeon want to do piriforis release? I don't get it.

There are dozens of different things that can cause the symptoms you describe.

Bursitis, tendonitis, torn muslces/tendons etc etc.

Aztec,

I live in the SF Bay Area so I'm closer to Dr. Barbaro. Also, after researching both doctors I was more comfortable with the technique Dr. Barbaro uses. In addition, he accepts insurance and Filler does not. That was a big plus for me. Over the eleven years with this condition I've shelled out an impossible amount of money on treatments that were not covered by my insurance. As with everyone else on this forum we're willing to try ANYTHING. I also did the myofascial release therapy. Let me know what you think of it. For me it was very painful. Not sure if everyone reacts to it the same way so I'll be interested to hear how you do with it.

Julie: HOLY c**p is right! Had a nightmare last night about it. I don't know what time the surgery is yet. They're supposed to call me today with that info. Let me know when you have your injections and if it helps. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it gives you some relief.

Margie

Margie, how is Dr. Barbar's surgery different from Dr. Filler? Just curious. You are probably counting down now. WOW!!

You probably don't have time to answer that question but when you do, I would like to know.

Julie, I love all your "y'alls". When I moved to Canada and said y'all lots I got teased so much ithat I eventually quit saying y'all. Have I told you that I am from Alabama, Birmingham. My brother is still there and I visited there last summer. Bye Y'all.

Shirley

speaking of y'alls, you should hear mine.

I had a friend from Reno visit me one time and I was telling her that the Univ. of Texas turned the "tower" burnt orange when they won conference in any of the sports.

Of course I pronounce it "tire". She had no idea why the would turn a "tire" orange.

aztec

Okay, everyone. Get out the prayer shawls. I just got the call from UCSF to let me know that my surgery is at 7:30 am which means I have to arrive at the hospital at 6:00 am which means I have to leave the house by 5:15 am which means I have to get up at 4:00 am!!!! Isn't it enough that I'm getting my butt carved up???? Couldn't they allow me to at least sleep in????? Oh well.

Bottoms up! :moon:

Margie

Margie: I haven't planned what I'm gonna do yet, but I'm gonna do some sort of good butt energy prayer at 7:30 (10:30 my time). You're gonna do great and be fine! I'll also say a prayer that you don't puke after surgery. Please drop us all a note when you feel up to it and let us all know how it went and what he found in there! (heh, that sounds a little funny considering it's your butt).

Shirley: well I'll be a pig's ear! I didn't know you were from Alabama! My mother grew up in B'ham, later graduated from Cullman High School and eventually my family ended up here in H'ville. It's about the least "southern" town in the southeast with all the rocket scientists and engineers. We're like the culture pot of the south due to having NASA here and all of the military/defense technology that is here. However, the southern charm is abundant and once you leave the city limits, there is a plethora of double-wides, abandoned cars in peoples yards and, of course, stinky chicken coops.

Y'all take care,
Julie

Mike, from Texas---I too have suffered with PS for over 3 yrs. Like everyone else I have been to numerous Doctors. Three neurologist, three physical therapists, epidurals, Botox injections nerve ablation. It has been a long journey. Over the last year and half, I have also had neck and lower back surgery. I had PIriformis release or removal of the muscle One week ago.
Dr. Adam Starr-Dallas. Spent one night in the hospital and my wife drove three hours to our home. Very little pain after surgery until now. Dr. Starr is wonderful.

Margie,

I'm praying that your surgery will go well, that the surgeon will use great wisdom, skill, and care and that you will recover quickly. I'm praying that this will be the answer that you need for relief from pain. Let us hear how it goes. I'm looking forward to having another person join us in the "surgery graduates" club.

Donna

Margie, As I write this you are in surgery. I have been praying for you and for the doctor to have great wisdom. I pray he finds the source of your pain and the recovery will be complete.
Welcome aztec, sorry you had to join the club but you are welcome here to whine, or rejoice, whatever that day brings. I hear alot of you talk about SI joints and RF abalation. I am so interested in what this is? Anyone care to explain?
Shirley, Isn't it funny how short the physical exam with Filler is? He doesn't take much time explaining the MRI either, kinda makes you feel like yoou are supposed to know what hes talking about. I have never heard of a CECE at the office, did you meet EVER? If so, whats he like? Geez, hope he didn't quit already. I pray the injections work for you !!!!
Menzie, I think the decision to drive is the right one. Your D's story has touched me and when I think of her, especially when I'm driving, I pray God will direct you, I pray for wisdom& strength on your part . Wow, what a long drive , I thought you were in the same time zone so you must be way up north?
As for Hawaiigirl, I'm really doing bad. My left side where Dr. Filler did the Superior Gluteal nerve neuroplasty has been burning off the charts for 34 days now. Its so bad I had to go back on the vicodan, which I hate because of nausea and I feel so spaced out. It does take the edge off the pain and I use alot of ice. I e-mailed Dr. Filler 2 weeks or so ago and he put me on another medrol steroid dosepak and then said Ibuprophen 3 times day for a month. It has not helped one bit and when I e-mailed him the other day to tell him I was just so scared and the pain was way worse than before the surgery and I wanted an opinion as to why he thought this was happening as I had no pain there until 8 weeks post op, he just replied, "Make a phone appt." Does he realize how long it takes to get one? WEEKS! So NOT to dash anyones hopes, but, if you have a problem after the surgery, hes not available, doesn't seem to care if you are in pain for weeks before he gets around to you. My husband and I are more than disappointed in the followup care. We feel we may have made a big mistake going to him. I will let you all know what he says, in the mean time, 2 more weeks of suffering physically and more so mentally, just to talk to him!! Sorry to rant and I know as I reread this some of you are scared, as you are still looking at him to fix you. I just feel obligated to share my experience, good or bad. If anyone out there feels like it, I would appreciate your prayers as I am really scared, upset and in a lot of pain, worse than prior to surgery. My biggest fear is coming true and I'm losing hope