How long does it take to resolve Piriformis Syndrome?

@carolcompton That's an interesting question, but I have an observation. In my experience, performing syndrome takes time for the irritation/inflammation to form - not just a single night of sleeping on a replaced hip.

There are exercises to do, but you must also eliminate the underlying cause, whether it is sitting too long, incorrect posture, repetitive motion, poor posture or muscle weakness.

Here is a recent disussion on the topic:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-anyone-else-have-issues-with-piriformis/
When I had issues (both before and after bilateral hip replacements) my PT gave me a series of exercises to do twice a day, followed by ice. Whenever it threatens, I go back to the exercises and ice before it gets bad, and try to figure out what brought it on. For me it is usually sitting or standing too long without moving around- which happens when I am in the midst of intense projects.

Thanks for this. It was a good reminder that I have been sitting in front of the laptop for hours since on Christmas vacation began. I do watch series while lying on the couch, laptop on tummy, but will try to do less sitting, even if I am perched on several pillows.
I am at least thankful that I didn't dislocate the fake ball and socket, which was my first thought, since the pain was so severe, at first.''
When I go to the doctor for my frozen shoulder, the original problem, I can get a ''two for one'' deal.

Hi Carol,

Well your sense of humor is intact!

I'm 71 and had my right hip replaced last March. Recovery was easy, too easy, and I violated two of the post-op rules - don't bend at the hips > 90 degrees and don't cross the operated leg over the other.

At 4 weeks post-op, I was in the gym doing a stretch for my ITB. I'm a formetr marathoner and did this stretch daily. While standing, I cross one foot over the other and bend from the waist and put my palms on the floor. This has been an excellent stretch for my hamstrings and lower back, and by crossing my operated foot over the other, the ITB gets a nice stretch.

10 seconds into the stretch, and I felt a tug in my right hip followed by very-hard-to-describe pain. Yep, by violating two rules of recovery, I dislocated my brand new hip - one month post-op.

I was taken to the ER where I had to wait 5 hours for a "closed reduction". It was successful, but the long wait in the ER (heart attacks, strokes, gunshot wounds, car crash victims - all rightfully come before treating. a dislocated hip.

Anyway I don't do that stretch anymore.....

And you're right Carol, we tend to sit too much. Not good for the back or circulation - not good for anything!

Thanks for the reminder Carol! And Happy New Year!!!!

Joe

My athletic son (I mention this b/c he's had other muscle type situations through the years) suffered with this for months and said it was the worst pain he could ever imagine. He tried all kinds of treatments with different specialists and finally found a PT who knew how to treat it. I'll have to ask him how long it took, but as I recall he had some pretty immediate relief from the intense pain and probably 4-6 months before he felt like it was resolved.

@babs10

Thanks for this post Babs. I had my hip replaced in March 2025. I sleep on a very firm mattress, and some nights will have pain in my operated hip when get up, but it doesn't last.

Hip replacement is so (usually) easy to recover from, formal PT isn't required. But the surgeon should send some PT exercises to keep scar tissue from forming and to strengthen and stretch the muscles around the hip - there are more than we think.

Please let us know what your son has to say about his recovery/treatment of hip pain. And thanks!

Joe

@sueinmn I don't think its appropriate to diagnosis @carolcompton symptom as "piriformis syndrome." OH.... wait... SHE called it that in the subject title! Carol, piriformis condition is brought on for a variety of reasons. It is a "loose" diagnosis. Mine occurs when I sit working for too long. (I've had both hips replaced like Sue. My hip joint replacement doesn't have much to do with my piriformis dysfunction. To relieve piriformis flares you stop doing what you are doing to bring it on, must strengthen your muscles, and ice/heat. I prefer heat. Exactly like Sue said - gotta figure out what brought it on. Last night I also had a horrible day/night. Figure it is the extreme temps and Santa Ana conditions where I live. Wrapped myself in a heating pad and threw on the heat for the night and I am much better today! Funny, I am in the midst of an intense project too right now. That always brings it on! 😉

@heyjoe415 "Piriformis syndrome is a condition where the piriformis muscle in the buttock spasms or tightens, compressing the nearby sciatic nerve, causing pain, tingling, and numbness in the buttocks that can radiate down the back of the leg, mimicking sciatica. It's often triggered by overuse, injury, prolonged sitting, or poor posture, leading to inflammation."

My son got it from weight lifting and, I think, using improper form.

Thanks Babs. Please do let us know how your son is doing.

Most, if not all people in a gym use improper form, every time they work out. I started working with a trainer 4 years ago to get my leg muscles in better shape to support an upcoming total knee replacement.

That all went fine, and I still work with that trainer today. The most important thing he does for me is to ensure I execute exercises with proper form. It's easy to get into bad habits, less easy to get out of them.

My advice - if one can afford a trainer (2x/week for 45 minutes/session), do it. It's a great investment in your health.

Joe

I have chronic hip and low back issues, but not a joint replacement (yet). I find that how I am sitting at work is one of the main culprits of making the piriformis muscles mad. (I am definitely guilty of crossing my legs which I have been told not to do...)
Rolling the area with a tennis ball can help. Certain stretches that target that area and your low back can help as well. Also gentle daily exercise makes a difference for me. For a medication treatment, besides oral meds, Voltaren may help as a topical option.

@sueinmn Exactly what I have experienced since my right hip surgery last July. Most of the time, it is OK and I completely forget I even had the procedure, except still marveling at how much more I can now do! However, if I am not active for long periods of time, or sit or stand in one place for too long, boy do I feel it. Also, every so often I overdo the exercises and stretching and I get reminded of that too. But, I am still so thrilled at the outcome of my hip replacement surgery. I was literally resigned to being a couch potato before, now; the things I want and can do is unlimited!