Review Article - Journal of Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine (2021) Volume 5, Issue 6
Effectiveness of gluteal muscle strengthening in the management of piriformis syndrome.
Background: Piriformis syndrome is a poorly understood disease with limited treatment options in physiotherapy. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of gluteal muscles strengthening in Piriformis Syndrome Methodology: The experimental study was conducted for 6 months on outpatients presenting with piriformis syndrome at Physiotherapy outdoor, Mayo hospital Lahore, Pakistan. An informed consent was taken from the patient using a consent form. 50 patients were selected based on the inclusion/ exclusion criteria, randomly assigned to two groups. Control group received piriformis stretching, ultrasound and conventional isometrics. Experimental Group received piriformis stretching, ultrasound and a gluteal strengthening program. The baseline parameters were assessed using the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and goniometer. Manual muscle testing of gluteal muscles was done. Patients were treated for 40 minutes 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Results: There was significant improvement in lateral rotation of hip in experimental group, and as piriformis is also a lateral rotator of hip joint, hence improvement in range of lateral rotation shows that a gluteal strengthening program has significant in increasing ROM of joint. There was significant improvement in MMT grade of gluteal muscles comparatively in the experimental group. Conclusion: A significant improvement in lateral rotation shows that gluteal strengthening program can be used to treat patients with piriformis syndrome.
Author(s): Haroon Raza*