Piriformis syndrome.

Seven patients underwent release of the piriformis from the femur. Patients with residual symptoms after conservative treatment had dramatic relief of sciatica and 70% resumed customary work after surgery. Minimum follow-up was 31 months (average: 51 months). Early diagnosis can avoid prolonging ineffective empiric treatment and disability with satisfactory results achieved in most patients by conservative treatment and relief of sciatica in selected surgical cases.