Sacroiliac Joint Pain
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Pain in the lower back or in the legs, sometimes debilitating, can be due to a dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint.
Right above the tailbone, at the bottom of the spine, lies the Sacroiliac Joint. When this joint suffers injury or dysfunction, low back pain or leg pain—or both—can occur. The leg pain which results from Sacroiliac Joint problems can feel much like Sciatica and can be severe in nature. The Sacroiliac Joint has a very limited range of motion, however the joint acts as a shock-absorber. It is not entirely clear what causes Sacroiliac Joint Pain, however factors which contribute to the condition include:
- Inflammation of the Sacroiliac Joint
- Sports injuries, particularly a fall
- A repetitive sport such as jogging
- An uneven stride, perhaps due to one leg being longer than the other
- Damage to the ligaments which hold the Sacroiliac Joint together
- Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Pregnancy (the body releases hormones, causing the joints to loosen and move more)
Sacroiliac Joint Pain is more common among young women and middle-aged women.
Diagnosing Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Accurately diagnosing Sacroiliac Joint Pain can be difficult, as the symptoms of the disorder can mimic many other conditions, such as: disc herniation, radiculopathy and facet syndrome. A physical exam to determine the source of pain is the first method of diagnosing Sacroiliac Joint Pain, followed by an MRI scan. In some instances, a Sacroiliac Joint injection or block can be a useful diagnostic test, and is typically guided by an x-ray.
Treatments for Sacroiliac Joint Pain
At Seattle Pain, the comprehensive, customized pain relief program we develop to treat your Sacroiliac Joint Pain will be conservative, rather than surgical, with a goal of restoring your normal joint motion and relieving your pain. At Seattle Pain we combine traditional treatments with non-traditional treatments for the very best result, and the most relief from your pain. These treatments may include:
- Medial and lateral branch blocks
- Orthotic supports or braces
- Sacroiliac Joint injections
Are you suffering from sacroiliac joint pain?
Contact Our Seattle Interventional Pain Management Specialists
We know that sacroiliac joint pain can make it difficult to perform even the most basic tasks. At Seattle Pain, our primary goal is to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. We believe in treating the whole patient – and not just the injury. You do not have to live in pain.
