While less well-known than other sources of back pain, sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is frequently the underlying cause of low back pain and leg pain. This type of pain can result from pregnancy, trauma, repetitive motions, sports-related injury and spine surgery.
To understand SI joint pain, it helps to understand the anatomy of the area where the upper and lower body meet.
Sacroiliac pain starts in the sacroiliac joints, which sit on either side of the sacrum, a triangular bone at the bottom of the spine. These joints serve as the connection point between the spine and the iliac crest, which is the top portion of the pelvis.
These joints, along with the strong ligaments and muscles around them, help support the movements of the hip bones. Your SI joints are used each time you move your hips.
Sometimes, the SI joints become inflamed, irritated or damaged in some way. This can cause sacroiliac joint dysfunction and send pain signals from nerve endings in the joint up to the brain. This results in SI joint pain that can cause discomfort in the hips, lower back, buttocks and thighs.
Sacroiliac joint pain often presents as pain in the lower back when going from seated to standing or twisting and turning.
If you are in Central Kentucky and having this type of pain, we are here to help. Providers at the UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center are specialty-trained to diagnose and treat sacroiliac joint pain using both nonsurgical and surgical methods.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, also called sacroiliitis, can cause several uncomfortable and hard-to-manage symptoms. These include:
- Morning stiffness
- Numbness or weakness
- Pain in the buttocks, hips, groin and pelvis
- Pain in the lumbar spine (low back)
- Pain radiating into the thighs or upper legs
- Stiffness or a burning sensation in the pelvis
Pain can present in multiple ways and may affect one or both SI joints. Sacroiliac joint pain often intensifies when standing up after being in a seated position. Pain may worsen when you rotate your hips.
Sacroiliac joint pain can also make it harder to move and affect your quality of life.
Sacroiliac joint pain is caused by inflammation, which can have many underlying causes. Potential causes of SI joint pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Repetitive motions that put pressure on the hips
- Injury caused by trauma or falls
- Abnormal walking patterns
- Ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that affects the spine and vertebrae
- Gout
- Previous spinal surgery, such as spinal fusion
Pregnancy may also lead to SI joint dysfunction. Hormones released during pregnancy cause the sacroiliac joints to widen and rotate. After childbirth, hormonal changes cause the rapid contraction of the SI joints. Trauma resulting from vaginal birth or misalignment of the joint can lead to SI joint inflammation and pain.
Your journey to better spine health begins at home. Before you visit UK HealthCare for spine pain, we review your medical records. We may contact you with follow-up questions. We then discuss your case as a team. Based on these conversations, we determine which specialists will best meet your needs.
Next, we schedule your appointment. To provide you with the best care possible, you may need to meet with multiple providers. This helps us meet all your care needs in a timely manner.
During your first visit, we answer questions and provide information to help you better understand your condition. We also work to find out what is causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
In most cases, we start with non-surgical treatment, such as lifestyle changes and physical therapy. Spine issues that don’t improve with this approach may require other treatment, including pain management and surgical intervention.
When coming to your first appointment, plan to do the following:
- Arrive early. You may need to fill out paperwork when you arrive. Getting to your appointment early gives you time to complete paperwork without feeling rushed.
- Bring a current list of medicines or supplements you take. You should also list any surgeries you’ve had, symptoms you’ve experienced and other past health issues.
- Dress comfortably. Working toward a diagnosis takes time. Comfortable clothes help you stay relaxed and attentive throughout your visit. They also make it easier to perform your physical exam.
- Eat and drink as directed. You may need to have imaging or other tests during your first visit. If you need to adjust your eating, drinking or medicines before a test, a team member will call to explain what you need to do leading up to your visit.
- Have your insurance information on hand. UK HealthCare accepts most insurers, and financial assistance is available.
- Bring a family member or friend with you. This person can help take notes and ask questions you may not think of asking.
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