Comparison of Gluteal Muscle Strengthening versus Conventional Isometrics in Pain Management of Piriformis Syndrome

Aim: To analyze the effectiveness of gluteal muscles strengthening in piriformis syndrome. Study design: Experimental study Place and duration of study: Department of Physiotherapy, Mayo Hospital, Lahore from 1st February 2019 to 31st July 2019. Methodology: Fifty patients presenting with piriformis syndrome were enrolled. They were divided in two groups. Control group received piriformis stretching, ultrasound and conventional isometrics. Experimental group received piriformis stretching, ultrasound and a gluteal strengthening program. The baseline parameters were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Manual Muscle Testing (MMT). Patients were treated for 40 minutes 3 times a week for 4weeks. Results: Reduction in intensity of pain as well as improvement in ROM was seen in both groups. There was significant improvement in lateral rotation of hip in experimental group, and as piriformis is also a lateral rotator of hip joint, hence improvement in range of lateral rotation shows that a gluteal strengthening program has significant in increasing ROM of joint. There was significant improvement in MMT grade of gluteal muscles comparatively in the experimental group. Conclusion: Experimental group showed improvements in decreasing pain and improvements in strength, with a significant improvement in lateral rotation shows that gluteal strengthening program can be used to treat pts with piriformis syndrome. Key words: Manual Muscle Testing, Visual analog scale