Sacroiliac Joint Pain
By: Mark MonteiroTotal Views: 200, Word Count: 514,
Sacroiliac joint pain, also known as SI joint pain or SI joint dysfunction, is among the common causes of low back pain. Sacroiliac joints are positioned at the very bottom of the back and either side of the spine. These joints help to make up the rear part of the pelvic girdle and sit between the sacrum and the ilia (hip bones).
The role of the SI joints is to permit torsional or twisting movements when we move our legs. The legs act like long levers and without the pubic symphesis (at the front of the pelvis) which let these smaller movements, the pelvis would be at higher risk of a fracture.
Location of Sacroiliac Joint
The sacrum, a triangle shaped bone, sits just underneath the lumbar spine. The two sacroiliac joints of the body are formed between the sacrum and the pelvic bones to either side. The sacroiliac joint is one of the biggest joints in the body and normally, there is little motion involved with the sacroiliac joint. This joint functions as a shock absorber, reducing stress on the spine and pelvis.
Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Though at times the causes of sacroiliac joint pain remain unknown, there are some causes which are known; they are:
- Pregnancy may cause this pain temporarily
- Uneven length of the leg that disrupts walking patterns and injury
As the sacroiliac joint is a synovial joint, it could be affected by arthritic conditions that result in joint inflammation (e.g. ankylosing spondylitis) or cartilage damage.
Diagnosis of Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Your doctor would consider your complete medical history, results from your physical examination, and x-rays to determine the extent of joint damage and make a diagnosis. Images from MRI, CT scan and bone scan can also be obtained by the doctor.
Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Pain itself is the primary symptom of sacroiliac joint pain. This pain occurs usually in the lower back or back of the hip area and could also be painful in the groin and thigh area. Pain is generally worse when standing and relieved by lying down.
Further, when the sacroiliac joint is inflamed, there is usually stiffness that is worse in the morning and improves with activity.
Treatment of Sacroiliac Joint Pain
The treatment routine for this pain includes:
1. Injections of cortisone (up to 3 a year)
2. Oral nsaids (nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs)
3. Anti tnf drugs are indicated for some forms of SI joint inflammation
4. Physical therapy
5. Wearing a sacroiliac belt to soothe the joint
6. Surgery, as a last option, to fuse the sacroiliac joints
Treatment of sacroiliac joint pain includes any of the above mentioned procedures as well as physical therapy exercises. Joint injections involve inserting a solution of local anesthesia into the joint as well as a small amount of steroid. Lumbar stabilization and low back stretches are some of the therapeutic exercises that are done to eradicate pain.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT.
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