SI Joint Pain
Definition
The SI joints, which link the spine to the hips, are situated between the iliac bones and the sacrum
The SI joints lie beneath the waist, where two dimples may be seen when examined from the back.
Your body’s weight is supported by the SI joints, which distribute it evenly
throughout the pelvis. They serve as a shock absorbers and reduce the stress that movement places on your spine.
Sacroiliac joint, or SIJ, dysfunction occurs when the sacroiliac joints of the
pelvis become stiff or weak.
The condition is more prevalent in those with sedentary lifestyles.
Sacroiliac joint discomfort is often more frequent in obese persons.
Causes
The SI joints are supported by powerful ligaments and muscles. When the ligaments become too ax or too tight, the SI joint may become painful.
This may happen following a fall, workplace injury, car accident, pregnancy, childbirth, or hip or spinal surgery (laminectomy, lumbar fusion).
Other causes of SI joint pain could be:
- One leg is longer or weaker than the other
- Arthritis in the hip or knee problems
- Autoimmune diseases, such as axial spondyloarthritis
- Wearing non-supportive shoes or a walking boot after foot or ankle surgery
Symptoms
The lower back and buttocks are where SI pain first appears, although it can also cause symptoms in the lower hip, groin, and upper thigh.
Also, you may experience:
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or a feeling of weakness in the leg
- Pain limited to just one of the SI joints or on both sides
- Stiffness or a burning sensation in the pelvis
- Worsening symptoms with sitting, standing, sleeping, walking, or climbing stairs
- Difficulty riding in a car or standing, sitting, or walking too long
- Painful sitting or sleeping on the affected side.
Treatment
1. Physical Therapy
It aims to aid with pain management and to reestablish mobility through:
- Utilizing cold packs to lessen the irritation.
- Enhancing SI joint stability and core strength (via mobilizations, manipulations, and exercise therapy)
- Strengthening the gluteus and core muscles, which are necessary to support the SI joint
- Patient education to maintain correct posture and a healthy activity level, and prevent falls.
2. Pharmacological treatment
Oral anti-inflammatory medications or topical patches, creams
Joint injections treatment: in which an analgesic-numbing drug and corticosteroid are injected into the affected joint.
3. Surgery
Your doctor can suggest minimally invasive SI joint fusion surgery if nonsurgical procedures and joint injections do not relieve your discomfort.
Here is another video that can be helpful for SI joint pain:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEHmTL0Jjml/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
