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.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain at a Glance

Sacroiliac joint pain occurs where the spine meets the pelvis. It affects the lower back, buttock or hip and can make standing, walking, or climbing stairs uncomfortable.

Symptoms include: Lower back pain, buttock pain, stiffness or pain that radiates into the hip or upper thigh.
Causes include: Arthritis, pregnancy, falls, car accidents or changes in the way you walk.
Reduce the risk of SI joint pain by: Practicing good posture, maintaining core strength and using proper lifting techniques to protect joint stability.
When to see an orthopedic specialist: Symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening and limit daily activities.

Hoag Orthopedic Institute provides advanced diagnosis and treatment options for patients with lower back and pelvic pain.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Your first visit to Hoag Orthopedic Institute is a chance for you and your spine specialist to get a complete picture of your current back health and goals for recovery. You’ll meet with a board-certified, fellowship-trained back doctor who will listen to your concerns, review any prior imaging or test results, and ask detailed questions about your symptoms and lifestyle. A detailed physical exam may follow to assess your range of motion, strength, and nerve function.
Your back specialist may recommend advanced imaging or additional diagnostic tests available onsite. Together, you’ll discuss what’s causing your pain or mobility limitations and review both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. You’ll leave with a clear and personalized plan designed for your specific needs—and a team ready to support you through each step of your care.
You can connect with one of our qualified spine specialists to review your symptoms, discuss any existing test results, and explore your back treatment options. To schedule your appointment, simply call our scheduling team at (949) 890-0464 or complete the secure request form on our website.
We’ll connect you with the right back doctor for your needs and can help arrange imaging or records before your visit. From the start, you’ll have access to advanced diagnostics and the latest treatments—including the latest techniques for minimally invasive procedures—tailored to your condition and goals.
At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our highly qualified physical therapists, back doctors, and spine surgeons work together to treat a broad range of spine conditions. These include addressing herniated discs, relieving spinal stenosis, and managing degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. Conservative treatments often include targeted physical therapy, image-guided injections to relieve nerve pain, or medications to reduce inflammation.
When surgery is your most effective option, our spine specialists perform procedures including spinal decompression to free compressed nerves, spinal fusion to stabilize the spine, and disc replacement to maintain mobility. Many operations are performed using minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques, which combine advanced imaging with precise instrument control to protect surrounding tissues and support a smoother recovery. Our back specialists devise a custom spine plan for each patient, designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help them return to active, pain-free living.
Hoag Orthopedic Institute offers expert care from fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeons, back doctors, and spine specialists who are leaders in their field. Our team also utilizes advanced techniques such as robotic-assisted spine surgery—providing greater surgical planning, accuracy, steadier instrument control, and less disruption to healthy structures for a smoother recovery.
Exceptional technology and an excellent surgical outcome form just part of your experience with our specialized back care. Your orthopedic spine doctor will focus on your total well-being, creating a personalized treatment plan—surgical or non-surgical—to help you move without pain and regain function. From diagnosis through recovery, we’re committed to getting you back to the lifestyle you love, free from the limitations of back pain or dysfunction.

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