The sacroiliac joints are the two large joints on either sides of the lumbosacral spine at the lower back connecting them to the pelvis. There are many different terms to describe this condition, including: sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, SI joint disease, SI joint syndrome, SI joint strain, and SI joint inflammation (sacroiliitis). This condition is characterized by pain in the sacroiliac joint and related musculo-ligamentous complex. The joint does not normally have much mobility but is a major weight bearing joint. Thus pathology of the joint causes lower back pain and transmitted leg pain which may mimic other problems causing pain of the lower back area.

When the healthy cartilage of the SI joints is damaged or worn away by means of age, weight gain, degenerative changes, sport injuries or repetitive stress, the bones begin to rub on each other aggravating degenerative osteoarthritis. This is the most common cause of SI joint dysfunction. Additionally, any condition that alters normal walking pattern places increased stress on the SI joints and is a risk factor. When SI dysfunction occurs it is accompanied by a series of changes in the muculo-ligmaentous complex surrounding the large joint, ligaments become loose and muscles become spastic leading to increased pain and pain radiation to involve wider more distant areas.

The most common symptom of SI joint dysfunction is chorinic dull-aching pain of the lower back and the back of the hips at one or both sided. Joint tenderness and warmth. also cause stiffness and a burning sensation in the pelvis. The pain is typically worse with standing and walking and improved when lying down. Some patients may experience bouts of SI joint pain as a sharp, stabbing pain of lower back that radiates to the hips and pelvis and up to the thighs. Pain may also be present in the groins. In many cases, it can be difficult to early establish the diagnosis of SI joint dyscfunction. Your physician should perform specific tests to help isolate the source of the pain.

Oral anti-inflammatory medications, loss of weight and physical therapy can be very helpful in early cases.

At ECC, if other treatments are not successful and pain continues to cause discomfort and even interfere with normal activities, we apply one of our minimally invasive interventions. Local injection into the joint can provide both diagnosis and treatment. Resistant and long-lasting cases, often command fluoroscopy guided joint injection and radiofrequency joint ablation under local anesthesia to alleviate pain and discomfort.