Sacroiliac Joint Pain

The sacroiliac or often called as SI joint is the connection between spine and pelvis. It plays a vital role in weight bearing and acts as a shock absorber. When this joint gets inflamed, it can cause disabling back /buttock hip pain which can be very debilitating while standing sitting or even walking. It is often mistaken with sciatica or lumbar facet joint pain due to its similar symptoms.  

Causes of SI Joint Pain

SI joint dysfunction can result from various factors, including:

Trauma or Injury – Falls, car accidents, or sports injuries can damage the joint.
Pregnancy & Childbirth – Hormonal changes and increased stress on the joint can cause instability.
Arthritis & Degeneration – Conditions like osteoarthritis can wear down the joint over time.
Inflammatory Conditions – Diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis can affect the SI joint.
Gait Abnormalities – Uneven leg lengths or altered walking patterns can put excessive strain on the joint.
Post-Surgical Changes – Spinal fusion surgeries can lead to SI joint dysfunction due to altered biomechanics.

Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

SI joint pain can mimic other lower back conditions, but common symptoms include:

  • Pain on one or both sides of the lower back
  • Hip, buttock, or groin pain that may radiate down the leg
  • Pain while sitting for long periods or standing up
    Increased discomfort when climbing stairs, walking, or turning in bed.
  • Stiffness or reduced mobility in the lower back and pelvis

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of this condition can be very difficult which needs clinical assessment and diagnostic investigations including Xray MRI & CT scan. Further a targeted SI joint injection maybe needed to ascertain the diagnosis.

Treatment:

The management of SI joint pain needs a multidisciplinary approach, and we need to work as a team to make it better. Once medical and mechanical causes are excluded, a targeted physiotherapy is the first line of non-operative treatment along with anti-inflammatory. Failing to this, pain management options like steroid injections and radiofrequency ablations are the second line of treatment.

Operative options are reserved for once all conservative options are explored and failed to alleviate the pain. Surgical option of sacroiliac joint fusion can be explored for better quality of life.

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Note: Medical conditions should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. This content is for informational purposes only.