Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome

Sacroiliac joint syndrome can cause a significant amount of pain and discomfort in the lower back and hip areas. At Palm Beach Pain Institute, Marcie A. Merson, MD, is experienced in treating Sacroiliac joint syndrome and can help patients find relief from their symptoms. If you’re experiencing Sacroiliac joint syndrome or any other chronic pain condition, call the office in Delray Beach, Florida, or request an appointment online today. 

What is sacroiliac joint syndrome?

Sacroiliac joint syndrome is a term used to describe the pain of the sacroiliac joint in the pelvis. This is the only orthopedic joint connecting the upper body to the lower body. The sacroiliac joint especially helps us walk from place to place and absorbs shock. It helps transfer the load from the spine to the lower body during bending movements.

The sacroiliac joints are located on each side of the spine between the two hip bones, which attach to the sacrum on each side, forming the joint. They only have a few degrees of motion. The motion is important for the health of the patient. The ligamentous structures provide stability to the pelvis. Even a very slight misalignment of the joint can cause significant pain. Trauma is a leading cause of pain and dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints.

The sacrum is a large strut bone at the base of the spine. It is triangular in shape, and it is actually an upside-down triangle. The base is at the top, large and thick, and moves slightly in a rhythmic motion. Additionally, the sacrum rotates slightly during the gait cycle.

The sacrum and sacroiliac joints account for at least 33% of all low back pain. The pain referral pattern can seem like hip pain. It is important to look at the sacrum and sacroiliac joints as a potential source of pain.

What are the causes of sacroiliac joint syndrome?

Sacroiliac joint syndrome may be caused by:

• Abnormal motion of the joint
• Slight mispositioning
• Trauma from sports or accident
• Pregnancy-related conditions as the pelvis relaxes surrounding ligaments

What are the symptoms of sacroiliac joint syndrome?

This syndrome is difficult to diagnose and is often overlooked by physicians and physiotherapists.

It is most commonly seen in adults of both genders and across all races. Women are slightly more at risk and present more often because the joints are shaped differently and can be more mobile than men, especially considering the nature of pregnancy and childbirth.

Most will seek help for lower back pain and have difficulty with the following:

• Lack of ability to walk independently
• Pain in the back, localized over the buttock
• Sharp, shooting pain
• Difficulty sitting in one place for too long or lying on side
• Pain when bending forward

It is difficult to diagnose so be sure to have a thorough examination for proper diagnosis. A local anesthetic block for the SI joint can also help confirm the SI joint as the source of pain.

What are the treatment options for sacroiliac joint syndrome?

If sacroiliac joint syndrome is determined, there are several options to relieve the pain.

Treatment for sacroiliac joint syndrome consists of:

• Over-the-counter medications
• Patient education
• Lifestyle changes
• Core strengthening
• Pelvic girdle stabilization
• Focused stretching
• Osteopathic manual therapy
• Corticosteroid injections or anesthetic injections
• Radiofrequency ablation temporarily interrupts nerve fibers that carry pain signals to the brain

Schedule your sacroiliac joint syndrome consultation at Palm Beach Pain Institute by calling the office or requesting one online today.