The sacroiliac (SI) joints are located in the lower back, where the sacrum and ilium bones meet. The SI joints act as a shock absorber to reduce pressure on the lower spine and distribute the weight of your body across the pelvis.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction causes your joints to become inflamed, also known as sacroiliitis. Sacroiliitis is characterized by pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, and pelvis. SI joint pain caused by sacroiliitis is responsible for approximately 15 to 30 percent of chronic lower back pain cases.
If you or a loved one are dealing with lower back pain caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction or sacroiliitis, you can rely on our team at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Interventional Pain Medicine to help you find relief.
What are the symptoms of SI joint dysfunction?
Lower back pain is the characterizing symptom of SI joint dysfunction. You may find that your pain:
- Worsens when standing or sitting for long periods.
- Feels like a constant ache split by sudden sharp pain.
- Spreads from your lower back down the hips and buttocks.
- Causes stiffness in the morning.
- Intensifies when turning or rotating your hips.
What causes SI joint dysfunction?
Sacroiliitis pain can be caused by several factors and conditions. Some common causes of SI inflammation and pain include:
- Arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Gout
- Injuries
- Pregnancy
Who’s at risk for SI joint dysfunction?
While anyone can develop issues with SI joint function, some people are at a higher risk than others. Some common risk factors include:
- Aging
- Previous injury
- Arthritis diagnosis
- Physically demanding occupations
- Uneven leg length
- Scoliosis
- Obesity
- Smoking
How is SI joint dysfunction diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will likely perform a physical exam along with imaging tests to confirm your sacroiliac joint dysfunction. You may be asked to perform certain movements to help your provider determine your range of motion and extent of injury. To confirm your diagnosis, your provider will likely order imaging tests that will provide a picture of your sacroiliac joints. These imaging tests can include:
- X-rays
- CT scans
- MRI
How is SI joint dysfunction treated?
NGPG Pain Management doctors may recommend a combination of a variety of therapies to help relieve pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction and sacroiliitis.
Therapies used to treat SI joint dysfunction may include:
- Low-impact exercises, such as swimming and yoga.
- Wearing a sacroiliac belt to support the SI joint.
- Anti-inflammatory medications.
- Muscle relaxants
- Oral steroids
- Corticosteroid injections directly into the joint.
- RFA (radiofrequency ablation) can deactivate the nerves that cause pain.
Choose NGPG for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment
At NGPG we understand how frustrating it can be dealing with constant lower back and sacrum pain. If you or a loved one are experiencing pain caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction, you can rely on our team at NGPG Interventional Pain Medicine to provide you with advanced and effective pain management options.
Our team of experts are dedicated to treating acute and chronic pain caused by conditions like sacroiliac joint dysfunction and sacroiliitis. NGPG Interventional Pain Medicine’s board-certified physicians use their knowledge and access to the latest advancements in pain medicine to deliver the care you need to get back to life pain-free.