Is Your SI Joint Causing Your Lower Back Pain?
Sacroiliac (SI) joints are present between the spine and hips. The SI joints provide support by transmitting the weight on the lower back while walking or standing. Unlike other joints, SI joints can rotate and tilt very little. As you get older, the SI joints may get degenerated or may not function properly. Even daily activities such as walking, and standing, can also injure the SI joints. This is called SI joint dysfunction. This can cause severe joint pain and the pain ranges from mild to severe. The pain is based on the extent and the reason for your injury.
There are several conditions that show similar signs of SI joint dysfunction. Hence, an early diagnosis of the condition can prevent it from progressing.
Common Signs of SI Joint Dysfunction
The SI joint can cause pain in the lower back and buttocks. The pain may even radiate to the groins, upper thighs, and lower hip. In most cases, the pain is felt on one side, but can occur on both sides as well. Along with the pain, you may also experience weakness in the leg and numbness in the leg.
The SI joint dysfunction pain may even increase with movements such as:
- Sitting
- Walking for a long duration
- Sleeping on the affected side
- Climbing stairs
- Running
- Walking with large steps
- Standing for a long time
- Standing on one leg
- Transitioning from sitting to standing or vice versa
What Causes SI Joint Issues?
The SI joint pain starts when it gets inflamed due to becoming too loose or too tight. There are several reasons that can injure your SI joint such as:
- Injury: Events such as a fall, road accidents, and sports injury can damage your SI joint.
- Stress on the joint: Stress on the joint over and over due to activities such as jogging for many years can also injure the SI joint.
- Pregnancy: Weight gain and changes in walking during pregnancy can put stress on SI joints. The SI joints also become loose and stretch at the time of delivery.
- Spinal surgery: Some spinal surgeries involves fusing the lower part of the spine. This can reduce the flexibility of the joint and increases stress on the SI joint.
- A shorter leg: If one of your legs is shorter or weaker than the other leg, you make uneven movements and it can cause SI joint pain.
- Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases such as spondylarthritis can lead to degenerative sacroiliitis.
- Arthritis: A type of arthritis affecting the spine called ankylosing spondylitis can cause damage to your SI joint.
- Age: As you get older, the cartilage over the SI joint may wear away slowly and it damages the SI joint.
- Infection: In very rare cases, an SI joint can get infected and this can also cause pain.
Are there any Complications with SI joint Issues?
SI joint issues can make certain actions difficult such as sitting, standing, bending, staying in one position, etc. It can even affect your sleep and can cause depression.
How is SI Joint Pain Diagnosed?
The doctor will conduct a medical exam to determine if your pain is caused by the SI joint. The doctor will also ask you about your medical history, your signs, and the location of your pain. The doctor may conduct the following tests to know if the SI joint is the source of your pain:
- X-rays
- CT scans
- MRI
- Numbing shots
Treatment Options for SI Joint Pain
The treatment starts with stopping the activities that hurt your SI joint. However, the treatment is based on the signs and causes of the pain. The treatment options include:
- Physical therapy exercises to improve strength and flexibility
- A chiropractor makes use of techniques that can move your joints and muscles and a chiropractic treatment can relieve your pain
- Joint injections can be used to reduce inflammation and swelling of the nerves
- The nerve ablation procedure makes use of current to damage the nerves that carry pain signals to the SI joint
- If the non-surgical treatments do not help, then surgery is considered as the last choice of treatment. Surgery focuses on fusing the bones together with metal implants.
Do You Suspect that Your Lower Back Pain is Caused by SI Joint? Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy Can Help You
If you have been suffering from severe lower back pain due to SI joint and looking for an experienced doctor to help you, meet Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy today. He offers full-service care for all types of joint injuries and conditions. He offers all the latest surgical and non-surgical treatment options. His 12 years of service in his field have made him one of the best neurosurgeons in Hyderabad. If you would like to consult Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy, request an appointment through our online form or call the office.