Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac joint lies next to the spine and connects the sacrum
with the pelvis.
It is commonly a source of low back pain. It’s most common
presentation is buttock pain
or low back pain that you can point to with one finger. The pain can
also be similar to pain
caused by a lumbar disc herniation. The pain is typically felt on one
side of the back or
buttocks, and can radiate down the leg. The pain usually remains above
the knee. The joint
acts as a shock absorber in the low back and transmits all the forces
of the upper body to the
pelvis, hips, and legs. It does not have very much motion; therefore,
the pain is thought to be
due to too much or too little movement of the joint. Irritation of the
sacroiliac joint can also
irritate the L5 nerve, which lies on top of it, and cause radiating
pain down into the foot, also
called sciatica.
Sacroiliac pain is determined by a careful history and physical exam.
It is typically diagnosed
through a process of exclusion. Injections of the sacroiliac joint are
considered both diagnostic
and therapeutic. If the injection relieves the pain, it can be
inferred that the sacroiliac joint is
the source of the pain. Usually a local anesthetic and steroid are
injected at the same time.
The local anesthetic helps numb the joint and determine if the
joint is the source of the pain.
The steroid decreases inflammation in the joint and decreases pain. A
sacroiliac joint injection
may be repeated several times. It is not recommended to have more than
three injections in
one year. This is due to the accumulative effects of the steroid,
which may cause adverse
effects. Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, ice, and
heat may be helpful. It is
recommended that the patient get involved in some type of therapy to
improve the mobilization
and range of motion of the joint and low back.
If the patient receives temporary benefit from the
sacroiliac joint
injection, a rhizotomy
may be recommended to provide lasting relief.
If you have any questions regarding sacroilica
dysfunction,
please do not hesitate to ask Dr. Columbus.
If you have any questions whatsoever regarding
Scroilica
Dysfunction,
please do not hesitate to ask Dr. Columbus.
