Prevalence of Pain and Functional Disability in Piriformis Syndrome Among Office Workers

Abstract

Background: Piriformis syndrome is an extra-spinal cause of buttock and sciatica-like pain that may affect workers exposed to prolonged sitting. Office workers may be vulnerable because sustained seated posture can increase mechanical stress around the deep gluteal region, but the pain and functional burden among clinically screened workers remains insufficiently described. Objective: To assess pain intensity and lower-extremity functional limitation among office workers with positive FAIR test findings suggestive of piriformis syndrome and to examine associations between pain intensity and selected functional activities. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan, among 73 office workers aged 26–50 years with prolonged sitting exposure and positive FAIR test findings. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and lower-extremity function was assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, normality testing, and correlation analysis, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 37.9 ± 5.9 years; 34 participants (46.6%) were male and 39 (53.4%) were female. Mean NPRS score was 6.60 ± 1.71, with 37 participants (50.7%) reporting moderate pain and 36 (49.3%) reporting severe pain. Functional limitation was greatest for getting into or out of a car, running on uneven ground, rolling over in bed, sitting for one hour, lifting from the floor, and hopping. Pain intensity showed significant associations with squatting (r = 0.262, p = 0.025), walking two blocks (r = −0.283, p = 0.015), stair use (r = 0.304, p = 0.009), and sharp turns while running fast (r = 0.361, p = 0.003), although LEFS coding direction should be verified for final interpretation. Conclusion: FAIR-positive office workers demonstrated clinically meaningful pain and mild-to-moderate lower-extremity functional limitation. Early screening, ergonomic education, and targeted rehabilitation may help reduce functional burden in sedentary occupational groups