The Sacroiliac Joint: A Common Source of Low Back Pain

Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter trusted by over 15,000 people to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.

Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

• What is the Sacroiliac Joint

• Pain caused by the SI joint, and what to do about it

• News: Harvard Doc - Foods to eat and avoid to decrease inflammation

What is the Sacroiliac Joint

The sacroiliac joint (SI joint) is a specialized joint that connects the sacrum, the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine, to the ilium, which is part of the pelvis. The sacrum is made up of five fused vertebrae and forms the base of the spine, situated between the lumbar spine and the coccyx (tailbone). The ilium is one of the three bones that make up the hip bone.

The primary role of the SI joint is to provide stability and support to the pelvis and lower back. It helps transfer the weight of the upper body to the lower extremities and serves as a shock absorber during movement. It's covered by articular cartilage, has a membrane around it, and is filled with fluid to lubricate the joint. The SI joint is reinforced by strong ligaments. These ligaments help stabilize the joint.

The SI joint is a joint that allows for very limited movement. While it's technically a joint, the SI joint has limited mobility compared to other joints in the body. The movement is typically a combination of sliding, tilting, and rotation.

Keep reading to learn about SI joint pain and treatment options!

Laugh through the pain…

SI Joint Pain and What to Do About It

The sacroiliac joint (SI joint) is a common contributor to low back pain symptoms. It commonly causes pain in the low back with periods of extended sitting, standing, or rising from a sitting to a standing position. The pain from the SI joint is most often felt in the low back, just above the buttocks. It can be painful on only one side or on both sides. Injury, pregnancy, arthritis, or uneven leg lengths can contribute to SI joint dysfunction.

Diagnosis of SI joint dysfunction involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, imaging studies (like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans), and sometimes diagnostic injections.

Treatment may include physical therapy, exercises to stabilize the joint, pain management, anti-inflammatory medications, and in some cases, injections or minimally invasive procedures to alleviate pain.

In cases of SI joint dysfunction that do not respond to conservative treatment, minor surgical intervention might be considered. Surgical options include fusion of the SI joint, where the joint is stabilized and immobilized to reduce pain and improve stability. SI joint fusion may also be considered for patients who respond well to conservative therapies but would like more definitive, long term relief of their pain.

Understanding the anatomy and function of the sacroiliac joint is important in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the lower back and pelvis, especially because experiencing pain and discomfort in this region is so common.

Ask your doctor if your low back pain could be caused by the SI joint and if you are a candidate for any of the treatments listed above.

Follow along with this newsletter to learn more about the treatments listed above and more!

In the news…

Harvard doctor recommends foods to eat and avoid to decrease inflammation

In case you missed it…

Resources

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About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

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