Loren M Fishman1, Allen N Wilkins1, Bernard Rosner2. 1. Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 133 East 58th Street, New York, New York, 10022, USA. 2. Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Piriformis syndrome is entrapment of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. METHODS: In this article we describe a 56-person randomized, double-blind, controlled study involving physical therapy and incobotulinum toxin A or placebo. Inclusion criteria were 3-SD delay of posterior tibial (PT) or fibular (FN) H-reflexes on flexion, adduction, and internal rotation (FAIR) testing, and normal paraspinal electromyographic findings. Outcome measures included adverse side effects, visual analog scale (VAS) findings, and H-reflex delay on the FAIR test. RESULTS:Mean intervention VAS score decreased significantly more compared with placebo at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks post-injection (P < 0.0001). FAIR test scores for PT, but not FN, decreased significantly more compared with placebo at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks post-injection (PT: P = 0.038, 0.003, 0.003, and 0.046). Adverse effects were minimal. VAS slope and PT FAIR test results varied significantly (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION:Incobotulinum toxin A chemodenervation may be useful for treating piriformis syndrome as identified by the FAIR test. Muscle Nerve 56: 258-263, 2017.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION:Piriformis syndrome is entrapment of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. METHODS: In this article we describe a 56-person randomized, double-blind, controlled study involving physical therapy and incobotulinum toxin A or placebo. Inclusion criteria were 3-SD delay of posterior tibial (PT) or fibular (FN) H-reflexes on flexion, adduction, and internal rotation (FAIR) testing, and normal paraspinal electromyographic findings. Outcome measures included adverse side effects, visual analog scale (VAS) findings, and H-reflex delay on the FAIR test. RESULTS: Mean intervention VAS score decreased significantly more compared with placebo at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks post-injection (P < 0.0001). FAIR test scores for PT, but not FN, decreased significantly more compared with placebo at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks post-injection (PT: P = 0.038, 0.003, 0.003, and 0.046). Adverse effects were minimal. VAS slope and PT FAIR test results varied significantly (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Incobotulinum toxin A chemodenervation may be useful for treating piriformis syndrome as identified by the FAIR test. Muscle Nerve 56: 258-263, 2017.
Authors: Neeraj Vij; Hayley Kiernan; Roy Bisht; Ian Singleton; Elyse M Cornett; Alan David Kaye; Farnad Imani; Giustino Varrassi; Maryam Pourbahri; Omar Viswanath; Ivan Urits Journal: Anesth Pain Med Date: 2021-02-02