The Piriformis Muscle Injection is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid medication into the piriformis muscle. This injection can be used diagnostically to determine the cause of your buttock and sciatic pain and therapeutically to help relieve your pain. The steroid medication is used to decrease the inflammation and or swelling of piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve. The local anesthetic or numbing medication can temporarily stop the spasms of the piriformis muscle. The local anesthetic will wear off approximately six hours after the injection. Your pain may briefly return before the steroid medication takes effect. This does not mean the block did not work. The steroid or anti-inflammatory medication may not start working after 24 to 72 hours. Sometimes it can take up to one week for the steroid to work or take effect. You may experience soreness over the injection site for a day or two after the procedure. This soreness may be the direct result of the needle being inserted into the piriformis muscle and from the medication injected. The Piriformis Muscle Joint injection can last anywhere from days to months. If you achieved partial sustained relief following the first Piriformis Muscle Injection, then additional injections may be repeated to give you greater degree of sustained pain relief.

It is necessary that you remain awake during the procedure so that you can tell the physician if you have any unusual symptoms or discomfort. You will be transported by cart to a special room and positioned on your stomach on a special x-ray table. The skin on your back will be cleaned with antiseptic cleanser and then draped with sterile towels. Under fluoroscopy, a special X-ray machine, the doctor will determine the exact location for the Piriformis Muscle Injection. The area where the needle will be inserted is injected with local anesthetic (numbing medication similar to what your dentist uses). The needle is then inserted under fluoroscopy, which allows the doctor to see your spine and the needle as it moves into the piriformis muscle. Once the needle is in the correct position the medication is injected. Your skin will be cleansed and a band-aid dressing applied. You may remove the band-aid the following day. You will then be transferred by cart back to the recovery area where you will be monitored closely for the next 30-45 minutes. You will be given specific written discharge instructions and allowed to leave by wheelchair with your ride once the physician authorized your discharge.

You will be given a discharge instruction sheet prior to leaving the Hospital. A follow up appointment will also be scheduled for you prior to discharge from the Recovery Room.