Has anyone attributed Piriformis to a saddle?
 

Really appreciate any experience people have had with ever increasing sit bone pain. Problem started 6 months ago.

I’ve been doing PT, stretching for the past 5 months and recently ART (active release technique).

The ART guy noted tight left and right Piriformis, IT Bands and Hamstrings. The MRI noted hamstring tendinitis.

The bike shop has done bike fits and multiple rechecks to ensure all is spot on.

Both bikes have Specialized Sworks “power with mirror saddle”, one saddle is 4 years old (Roubaix), the other is 2.5 (Aethos).

The bike fitter recommended a 143 saddle vs 155 since I’ve lost 20lbs - sit bones have moved. Unfortunate the 143 saddle aggravate the sit bones. ;(

Currently off the bike focusing on recovery. Thinking about swimming….

Appreciate any help with recovery silver bullets, sworks power saddle, or whatever may help.

Thanks!!

The 20-pound loss: All fat? All muscle? Mostly fat, some muscle? Mostly muscle, some fat?

Mostly or all fat might mean a slightly softer saddle might help. Mostly or all muscle might mean that your strength is diminishing and should consider a more upright position---and a slightly softer saddle.

You don't mention your age. For me, at 73, I've had to make peace with diminished strength and with cutting back to something like 3 1/2 or 4 hour rides every other day---or maybe two days on the bike and one off, mostly zone 2. Dylan Thomas counselled not going gently into that good night, but that's easy to say when you divide your time between writing poetry and boozing.

Hey TTron!

Fixing saddle induced pain can be tricky, especially if complicated by serious health issues. Make sure your doctor(s) clear you for the type of cycling you intend to do.

But the solution will be in finding the right gear and overall fit for you and the way you cycle.

Back in 2016 after a break of many years, I started road cycling again. After about 2,500 miles of riding, I developed an acute case of right-side side sit bone pain that turned chronic and lasted for a few months before I sorted out the issue. I was cycling harder over longer distances in a more areo riding posture.

For me, the solution was in eventually finding the right saddle, saddle position and tilt, riding shorts and pedals with a generous amount of float. Took a lot of trial and error on my part.

For what it’s worth, it doesn’t sound like the bike fitter you are using is helping with your problem. Maybe find another or figure it out yourself. One small change at a time is the key to the right fit.

Good luck with your cycling!

Just a thought here - if different Sworks saddles all seem to be giving you issues, maybe the solution is another brand. If the shop/fitter you are going to is totally focused on Specialized, maybe go to another shop and tell them you would like to spend some time there on a trainer trying various other saddles. Your "undercarriage" might really appreciate this research.

We change as we age. In my early 40s the saddles I used to race became near torture. My riding fell way off, until I had hernia surgery and knew I had to gently get back into shape on the trainer - which I also knew was far more demanding of good fit than the road. Went shopping. Came home with last year's el-cheapo; completely different from anything I'd ridden before. A revelation! When I got back on the road, el-cheapo went on my commuter, a high end of the same manufacturer on my good bike (later bikes plural) and my undercarriage is still thanking me 25 years later.

Good info. I bought many decent saddles from the "take-off" bucket in bike stores for 10 or 15 bucks each over the years.

Wish shops had a take-off wheel bucket, too. There must be a lot of orphan wheelsets out there, given the current mania for wheel upgrades.

It is extremely unlikely your pelvis changed due to weight loss. Your musculature most likely has, which will make you sit differently, perhaps.

After losing a similar amount of weight, I found I was no longer comfortable on a Brooks saddle that had been ideal for 10 years. I had to find a new saddle, and eventually settled on an Ergon All-road. Along the way, I tried one of the 3D printed carbon fiber Specialized saddles, and found it extraordinarily uncomfortable, FWIW.

I'd not focus on the saddle if what you have is piriformis. Certainly you should find one that is comfortable for the type of cycling you do.

Other people that get piriformis don't cycle. So you might just be making a anecdotal judgement.

Funny you should mention this...
For the past 4 months I've been dealing with the onset of piriformis sciatica, again... Been some years since last experiencing it.
Recently, when I first felt it happening, it was from riding... At first, I thought it was from a shift in my hips/seat position... I have some scoliosis also.
But after riding a different bike with a different saddle, and not experiencing the issue, I realized it could be my saddle... and years... :(
I haven't had saddle issues for quite some decades - could ride just about anything, just a consideration for long saddle time comfort...
I currently have 2 dominant saddle types, a slight cradling style with a curved seat profile, whic I really have liked - Spec Phenom.
And a flatter saddle type - Spec Toupe
The Phenom - on 2 bikes - now causes exacerbation of the sciatica.
The Toupe type - on 2 other bikes - works great...
Of course, now that I have that onset, I have to pay attention and deal with it. SO the Phenoms are now 'off' and flatter saddles place on those bikes.
I also can't really do any hard efforts while riding, so riding intensity is out, and even though I continue to do around 1.75 to 2 hr rides regularly, they're steady effort, with recognition to not do any pedal efforts which exacerbate the sciatica.
Also, strong stretching is counter getting it to 'relax'. When I had it bad, some 4 decades ago, the only thing which helped get relief and get recovery was 400mg Motrin 4x a day (prescribed...Ibuprofen).
Currently doing 200 mg 2x or 3x a day, and it is helping, slowly...

Also, I can't imagine going to a narrower saddle is going to do anything to help or alleviate the issue...
Ride On
Yuri

I once ripped up all the muscles on either end of my right hamstring waterskiing and crushed my L4 disc later the same year, so I know something about sciatic nerve pain. I dealt with it for years but recurring painful episodes were never related to cycling

I don’t get the advice about the saddle size. I get that weight loss could affect your contact points and you might address that, but your sit bones don’t move. My saddle preference has evolved with injury and age but never the size

Maybe you were on the wrong size before and piriformis syndrome just made that clear

So what changed six months ago?

Totally my personal opinion here:
I am a skeptic of so-called "piriformis syndrome." And of the validity of "Active Release" therapy. I have been riding for a very long time and had sciatica also for many years.

My experience has been very much a hammer and nail situation. Physical therapists seem to suggest that sort of treatment. Why? That is what they know. Their experience and knowledge base if centered there, as is the success of their business. I went to a guy practicing "Active Release" and it was total B.S. Very chiropractic and nonsensical. "See how your left leg seems longer now? Do you feel out of balance?" No, and I won't be rescheduling. Google the academic world's view of ART.

Steroid injections didn't help either, but that is what that guy did for a living....

When I built up my bike, the LBS has loaner saddles (bright yellow with "LOANER") to try. It took a few rides, but I found one that worked for me.. Good shorts, pro bike fit. Knowing when to push and when to hold bad and taking rest days. Contracting out heavy yard work and very careful lifting.

Keep looking, but always be skeptical.

I really appreciate the insights and experiences! It’s helping to peel this onion. Just frustrated that PT hasn’t made a difference in 5 months, but…..

Findings so far:

• ya, BS on sit bones moving - don’t move
• confirmed a 143mm sized saddle was on my old old bike (2018)
• Specialized Roman Evo worked on the old old bike (2014 - 2018)
• crap, I was sized incorrectly at 155mm three bikes / 7 years ago
• Specialized 3d saddles flares out which can cause issues - fix w/Phenom saddle
• Considering the Roman Evo or Power Arc saddles (non-3d)

Scheduled to see a hip orthopedic surgeon to assess for any course corrections: PT, ART, rest, or ??

Thx!!