15 Signs of Piriformis Syndrome

2. Thigh and Calf Pain

If the piriformis muscle becomes tight it can then cause the sciatic nerve to be pinched. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and runs from the lower part of the spin all the way to the feet. When this nerve is compromised it can cause pain that is known as sciatica.

The pain may start in the buttock and go down the entire back of the leg. The actual cause of the pain is difficult to diagnose. It is caused by the nerve being compressed. This is usually because a disk in the back is herniated. If the disc herniation is ruled out, a doctor may consider piriformis syndrome.

The origin of the pain is the main difference between the two issues. Sciatica that is caused by a herniated disc typically will cause pain in the lower back that runs down the leg. Sciatic pain that is caused by piriformis syndrome originates in the buttocks.