Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is felt in the low back and buttocks. The pain is caused by damage or injury to the joint between the spine and hip. Sacroiliac pain can mimic other conditions, such as a herniated disc or hip problem. Accurate diagnosis is important to determine the source of pain.
As we age our bones become arthritic and ligaments stiffen. When the cartilage wears down, the bones may rub together causing pain. The SI joint is a synovial joint filled with fluid. This type of joint has free nerve endings that can cause chronic pain if the joint degenerates or does not move properly.
What are the symptoms?
Pain start in the lower back and buttock, and may radiate to the lower hip, groin or upper thigh due to close proximity of sciatic nerve.
Patients may also experience numbness or tingling in the leg or a feeling of weakness in the leg.
Often the SI joint is painful sitting or sleeping on the affected side. Pain can be worse with transitional movements (going from sit to stand), standing on one leg or climbing stairs.
Managing SI JOINT PAIN
Since SI Joint Pain is a pure mechanical problem in most cases, exercises/ stretches/ mobility have a good outcome. Acute pain medications and anti-inflammatory can help manage the pain but pain medications never resolve the pathology.
Note: Contraindications of Ibuprofen:
Asthma, hay fever or allergies.
Gastric irritations/acid reflux/ulcers.
Skin eruptions.
Heart failure, severe kidney failure or severe liver failure.
Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Bleeding disorder.
Causes of SI Joint Pain
Obesity/overweight
Pregnancy
Prolonged sitting
Muscle weakness in the core, glutes and back.
Muscle tightness in hip flexors and hamstrings.
Lack of mobility.
Stretches: Deep long stretches for 60-90 sec
Exercises: 10 Reps X 3 sets are ideal
Chronic Pain: Steroid Injections
Joint injections: Steroids can reduce the swelling and inflammation of the SI joint. Joint injections are a minimally invasive procedure that involves an injection of a corticosteroid and an analgesic-numbing agent into the painful joint. While the results tend to be temporary, If the injections are helpful they can be repeated up to three times a year
Comments