Open AccessUltrasound‐guided trigger point injection for piriformis syndrome in the emergency department
Author(s) -
AquinoJose Victor M.,
Blinder Veronika,
Johnson Jennifer,
Havryliuk Tatiana
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of the american college of emergency physicians open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2688-1152
DOI - 10.1002/emp2.12153
Subject(s) - piriformis syndrome , medicine , emergency department , low back pain , myofascial pain syndrome , thigh , surgery , anesthesia , sciatica , pathology , psychiatry , alternative medicine
Piriformis syndrome, a myofascial pain disorder characterized by deep gluteal pain that radiates to the ipsilateral lower back and/or posterior thigh, is an underreported cause of low back pain frequently misdiagnosed in the emergency department (ED). Often refractory to oral pain medications, this syndrome can be debilitating. Ultrasound‐guided trigger point injection of the piriformis muscle can treat piriformis syndrome, but no previous reports exist in the emergency medicine literature. This case series describes 2 patients who presented to our emergency department with low back pain and were diagnosed with piriformis syndrome. Both patients received an ultrasound‐guided trigger point injection of the affected piriformis muscle with a significant reduction of pain at 15 minutes and 48 hours after the procedure.