What is SI joint pain?
Your sacroiliac (SI) joints connect your ilium and sacrum at the bottom of your spine and are part of your pelvis. SI joint pain can manifest as pain in the low back, hip, pelvis, groin, buttock, and even cause numbness and weakness in the leg and foot. It can disrupt your sleep and make sitting and standing difficult.
Although 25% of low back pain comes from the SI joint, it is often misdiagnosed as spine-related pain. Dr. Ahuja is familiar with SI joint pain and offers a variety of diagnostic and treatment options.
Do you have chronic low back pain?
About 15-30% of the time, the SI joint is a cause.
The results of the quiz are meant to help you determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are coming from your SI joint.
Find your SI Bone Buddy
- Prior Lumbar Fusion
- SI Joint Trauma
- SI Joint Degeneration
- Pregnancy Related
How do I know if I have SI joint pain?
Lower back pain from the SI joint is usually constant and affects your ability to sit for long periods, impacting your work and daily activities. It is also triggered by transitioning from sitting to standing, walking, and low-impact activities like climbing stairs.
Women who have been through childbirth and those with previous back surgery instrumentation are at higher risk due to aggravated SI joint areas.
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What are causes of SI joint pain?
Potential causes of SI joint pain include:
- Inflammation of the SI joints, also called sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Ankylosing spondylitis, a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine
- Osteoarthritis, or cartilage wear and tear
- Gout, when the body has high levels of uric acid
- Injuries to the back
- Abnormal gait
Curious about the causes and effects of SI Joint pain?
Watch our short video below:
How is SI joint pain diagnosed?
Dr. Ahuja and the staff at NeuroEndo aim for accurate diagnosis of SI joint pain. A physical exam will first confirm if the pain originates from the SI joint. Next, a nerve block with numbing medication, guided by a video x-ray, will be performed. If your lower back pain is relieved by this injection and no other sources of pain are detected, you may be a candidate for pain medication, physical therapy, or surgery.
Is surgery necessary for SI joint pain?
Dr. Ahuja will first try physical therapy, medication, and time to control your SI joint pain. He will assess your symptoms, answer your questions, and provide the full range of treatments available. If non-surgical treatments do not work to your satisfaction, Dr. Ahuja may recommend SI joint pain surgery.
In SI joint pain surgery, a small incision is made on the side of the hip and three rods are placed into the SI joint. These rods stabilize the joint, reducing irritation, inflammation, and pain. The surgery typically takes about an hour or less.
What are non-surgical treatment options for SI joint pain?
Some potential non-surgical treatment options for SI joint pain include:
- Medication, such as pain medication, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxants
- Physical therapy or exercises, such as yoga
- Corticosteroid injections
Continued SI joint pain can deteriorate your quality of life. If you experience SI joint fusion failure symptoms, it is crucial to consult with Dr. Ahuja for appropriate interventions.
Continued SI joint pain can deteriorate your quality of life.
Call 414-488-1111 to see what treatment options are available.
