Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain

Pain in the sacroiliac area—the leg, lower back, groin or buttocks—can affect your mobility, making everyday tasks like climbing stairs feel more challenging. At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified and nationally recognized orthopedic back and spine specialists can provide treatment you need to get moving again.

What is the Sacroiliac Joint (SI)?

Located on each side of your tailbone, or sacrum, are the sacroiliac joints (SI). These joints, two of the largest in the body, connect via tendons and ligaments to join the pelvis and the tailbone. If the sacroiliac joint is inflamed, walking, sitting, and other daily activities are painful, but with the right care, comfort can be restored.

Common Sacroiliac Joint Pain Causes

While aging and subsequent osteoarthritis are the primary causes of SI joint pain, lifting or trauma resulting from accidents may trigger sacroiliac joint pain. Other common causes of SI joint pain include:

• Pregnancy: Women may experience changes in their hip joints as the body prepares for delivery.
• Gait changes: Anything that causes changes in the way you walk, including injuries or leg length disparity, may affect the SI joint.
• Repetitive motions: The strain of repetitive motions affecting the hips may eventually result in SI joint pain.
• Excessive standing or sitting: Too little movement can result in SI joint pain.
• High-impact exercise: Any sort of strenuous exercise affecting the hips can cause sacroiliac joint pain.

Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

SI joint pain can resemble hip, pelvic, and lower back pain. Diagnosis involves X-rays and other imaging tests. Specific sacroiliac joint pain symptoms may include:

• Leg buckling or instability
• Pain when rising from sitting to standing
• Inability to sit for long periods

Risk Factors for SI Joint Pain

Certain people are at higher risk of developing SI joint pain than others. Aging and the onset of arthritis in the SI joint is a major risk factor. Other risk factors include:

• Family history
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Leg length disparity
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Trauma

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain Treatment Options

Sacroiliac pain relief may be as simple as taking an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, for a short period. Other noninvasive treatment options include:

• Icing for inflammation reduction
• Heating for muscle relaxation
• Rest to avoid further harm to the SI joint
• Physical therapy for core muscle strengthening

Some patients may find that braces offer support. For serious cases of SI joint pain, patients may respond to medication or surgery.

Lower the odds of developing SI joint pain by practicing good posture. Correct posture minimizes the stress on the SI joint, as well as other joints.

Another non-surgical procedure for SI joint pain is a sacroiliac injection, a local anesthetic for temporary pain relief and a corticosteroid for longer relief. Some patients will require only one injection, while others may need an additional injection in a few weeks if the pain has not substantially subsided. Patients are generally limited to three sacroiliac injections within six months.

Surgical Procedures to Treat SI Joint Pain

If non-surgical procedures to treat SI joint pain prove unsuccessful, surgery is an option. SI joint fusion is a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon makes a small incision in the buttocks. Inserts are implanted to stabilize the SI joint.

After recovery, patients should find sacroiliac pain relief and their mobility restored or improved. Most patients can resume normal activities within six to 12 weeks, but complete recovery may take several months.

When To See a Doctor for Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain

If SI joint pain is keeping you from performing regular activities or the pain reduces your quality of life, it is time to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Schedule a consultation today at Hoag Orthopedic Institute with one of our top spine doctors.

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, We Get You Back To You®!