[Clinico-electromyographic characteristics of piriform muscle syndromes]

The report is concerned with the screening methods of lesions of the piriformis muscle in the piriformis syndrome which is more frequently connected with sacral osteochondrosis. However, this syndrome may sometimes appear in an ankylosis of the hip joint. All the diagnostical methods may be divided into 3 groups: indirect clinical method, palpation and EMG. The first method does not require special experience. A palpation of the piriformis muscle is conducted bimanually by a method proposed by the authors. EMG studies with the aid of needle electrodes permit to distinguish spasms and more crude changes in the piriform muscle.