What to Know About Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Various factors cause pain in your body, including issues with your body structure and organs. Usually, body joints are flexible and enhance smooth movement; however, when they are not movable enough, they may cause pain. Examples of body joints that are likely to cause pain include sacroiliac joints. The SI Joint Flowood specialist and neurosurgeon Adam Lewis, MD, offers an in-depth diagnosis and personalized treatment plans to relieve your pain. Keep reading to learn more about sacroiliac joint pain.

What is SI joint?

These are joints found in the pelvis area. The SI joint begins where the bone at the bottom of your spine (the sacrum), joins the prominent bone at the top of your hip, (the ilium).

Sacroiliac joints function as shock absorbers, minimizing the stress on the spine and pelvis. They also support your upper body weight when standing or walking. Their functions increase their risk of vulnerability.

Unlike other joints in the body, sacroiliac joints are less movable. When the joints encounter a problem, they cause a stabbing pain that moves into your lower back, down to the buttocks and hips. The pain worsens when bending, standing up from sitting down, or climbing stairs.

Issues with your SI joint may also cause tingling or numbness sensations around your lower back, hips, and buttock areas. They cause your legs to feel like collapsing when you are walking or standing. Usually, the symptoms depend on the cause of the SI joint pain.

What causes SI joint pain?

Sacroiliac joint pain is when the SI joints get inflamed or injured. The inflammation may occur due to the following:

·         Pregnancy

·         Arthritis

·         Injuries

·         Gout

·         Abnormal walking patterns

·         Previous spine surgery

There is no particular way to treat SI joint pain. Your provider uses their knowledge and experience to design the most effective treatment to eliminate your symptoms.

Diagnosis of SI joint pain can be difficult since it’s not easy to access the SI joint with a physical exam. You might also not confirm the diagnosis using symptoms, such as pain, as other conditions may also lead to pain around the sacroiliac joint. Imaging tests may also not show results.

Treatment of SI joint pain?

Your treatment option for SI joint pain aims at alleviating pain and resolving your joint movement. Some of the non-surgical treatments include:

·         Rest

·         Wearing a pelvic brace

·         Heat or ice therapy

·         Manual manipulation

·         Pain medication

You may usually find relief with non-surgical treatment methods; however, when symptoms persist, your provider may recommend minimally invasive procedures to restore your health. Some of the available treatments at Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic include the following:

Sacroiliac joint injections

It involves your provider administering an anti-inflammatory injection into the SI joint using an X-ray.

Sacroiliac joint rhizotomy

It is a heat treatment that kills off the nerves, causing pain relief.

SI joint surgery

When your symptoms do not improve with minimally invasive procedures, your provider suggests surgery to repair the SI joint.

Pain in your lower back, buttock, or hip region may indicate sacroiliac joint pain. Contact Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic today for consultation and treatment.