Sacroiliac Joint Pain
The sacroiliac joint (SI joint) is the joint that connects the spine to the pelvis and serves primarily for weight bearing. When the SI joint is painful, activities such as walking, sitting, and standing can stress it, causing worsening pain.
Common Causes
- Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) from the bones rubbing against each other when they become damaged or worn away
- Inflammatory arthritis conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis
- Pregnancy, which places additional pressure on the bones or causes a change in the person’s gait
- Any condition that alters the normal walking pattern
Symptoms
Typical symptoms include:
- Lower back pain, typically below the beltline
- Pain that radiates into the buttock and posterior thigh
- Pain may be more commonly experienced on one side of the body but could occur on both sides
Diagnosis
To diagnose your condition, we will take a medical history and conduct a medical exam. We may also use diagnostic tools such as:
- Imaging such as X-ray, although there are rarely conclusive radiographic findings to correlate with sacroiliac joint pain
- Diagnostic injection into the joint to identify it as a pain generator
Treatment
Treatment for sacroiliac joint pain may include medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, spine injection therapy, and radiofrequency ablation. Physical therapy exercises may correct the underlying biomechanical abnormality, while occupational therapy helps with activities of daily living to prevent recurrence. Severe cases may consider spine injection therapy or radiofrequency ablation for prolonged pain relief.
Contact Us
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