Conditions of the Hip/gluteal Region

Question 1

What role does the Piriformis muscle play in conditions of the gluteal region?

Answer 1

Piriformis lies directly over top of the sciatic nerve, so inflammation of this muscle can cause sciatic nerve impingement.

Piriformis is a lateral rotator and abductor, so issues present as painful active/resisted external rotation, and painful passive internal rotation since the muscle is lengthened

Question 2

What is the most common cause of sciatica?

Answer 2

MOI: piriformis syndrome/prolonged sitting in lateral rotation

Question 3

What is the Trendelenburg Gait?

Answer 3

Weakness of hip abductor (glute med and min), followed by a contralateral hip drop (TFL and oblique weakness).

Ideally, the gluteus medius and minimus are contracting to stabilize the weight-bearing hip during the gait cycle

Question 4

SI Joint Ligament Sprain

Answer 4

MOI: imbalances in pelvic alignment from doing daily activities unevenly
S/S: ‘low back pain’, aching and stiffness that can radiate, pain in pubic symphysis because the two sides of the pelvis can become mismatched