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Located in the pelvis, the sacroiliac (SI) joint connects the spine to the hips. It is responsible for easing the burden of the shift between upper body and legs as you move. This joint is supported by soft tissue such as muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Sacroiliac joint pain, whether mild or severe, can be alleviated by sacroiliac joint injections.
If you think that your sacroiliac joint is the source of your lower back or radiating thigh or leg pain, sometimes referred to as sacroiliitis, you may benefit from a sacroiliac joint injection.
Sacroiliac joint pain can also be categorized as SI joint dysfunction, SI joint syndrome, SI joint strain and SI joint inflammation.
At the Integrated Spine Institute, sacroiliac joint injections can be used in two ways: diagnostically and pain management. For diagnostic purposes, an SI joint injection can be used to determine if pain in the buttocks, thighs, or legs is due to sacroiliac joint dysfunction. For pain management purposes, an SI joint injection is combined with an anti-inflammatory medication, usually a corticosteroid, to reduce swelling around the affected joint and nearby nerves.
Symptoms related to sacroiliac joint pain can manifest in the lower back, spine, pelvic area, buttocks, and legs. Common symptoms of sacroiliac joint pain include:
Pain related to the sacroiliac joint is sometimes mistaken for sciatic nerve pain since the SI joint is in close proximity of this large nerve. In some cases, irritation of the SI joint can aggravate the sciatic nerve.
Low back pain affects 80% of adults experience at some point in their lifetimes. Studies show that of those that suffer from chronic low back pain, 15-30% is caused by SI joint pain. Two-thirds of individuals with SI joint pain are women.
Sacroiliac joint pain can be caused by:
You don’t need to live in pain. If you think sacroiliac joint injections at the Integrated Spine Institute are the right pain management solution for you, confirm your treatment assessment below.
Sacroiliac joint injections are an easy, effective, low-risk procedure that can be performed quickly at the Integrated Spine Institute. A combination of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine is inserted via a small needle into the targeted area of the sacroiliac joint.
The medications used in the injection are usually a combination of fast-acting medicines to give you immediate relief and slow-acting medicines for extended pain relief. The entire procedure can be completed in minutes.
Special dye is injected to ensure correct placement of the needle. The doctor will use X-ray guidance to reach the right part of the joint. After the needle is in the correct position, numbing medication (for diagnostic purposes) or an appropriate anti-inflammatory medication will be injected. Patients are usually observed for a short period after receiving an injection. Strenuous activities should be avoided for a few days after the injection is given.
At the Integrated Spine Institute, the medication in sacroiliac joint injections involve a corticosteroid and an analgesic-numbing agent. Together, these substances reduce swelling and inflammation, which decreases pain.
Injections may provide relief for several months at a time or allow you to actively participate in muscle strengthening exercises that may also minimize your discomfort.
If you have persistent sacroiliac joint pain, find out if you’re a candidate for sacroiliac joint injections at Integrated Spine Institute.
Integrated Spine Institute
Address
10866 Riverside Dr.
North Hollywood, CA 91602