Many individuals suffer for months, sometimes years, with pain they can’t always pinpoint. It may occur in the lower back, buttocks, pelvic region, or hips. It’s often misdiagnosed as disc problems or nerve impingement.
But studies indicate that about 15-30% of individuals with low back pain have problems with the sacroiliac (SI) joint.
At ISP Health PLLC, award-winning pain management physician Dr. John S. Michels provides advanced, nonsurgical, and compassionate care to patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas.
Dr. Michels specializes in accurately diagnosing and treating acute and chronic pain issues with cutting-edge, nonsurgical solutions tailored to you.
Read more from Dr. Michels and our team regarding what SI joint dysfunction is, how to recognize it, and what treatment options are available to help you get back to living pain-free.
The sacroiliac joint connects your spine to your pelvis. Specifically, it links the sacrum (the triangle-shaped bone at the bottom of your spine) to the iliac bones (your hip bones).
You have one SI joint on each side. These joints support the weight of your upper body and absorb shock between your upper body and legs.
While the SI joints don’t move very much, they play a critical role in keeping your pelvis stable. When they become misaligned or move abnormally, either too much (hypermobility) or too little (hypomobility), you can end up with SI joint dysfunction.
Unfortunately, SI joint dysfunction is often misdiagnosed because it causes pain that may mimic other common conditions, such as sciatica or herniated discs. This can interfere with successful treatment.
Signs and symptoms of SI joint dysfunction include:
The most common complaint is a dull or sharp pain on one side of the lower back, buttock, or even hip. It’s typically just off-center, not directly in the middle of the spine.
Some people feel pain shooting down into the thigh or groin. It usually doesn’t extend below the knee, which can help distinguish it from sciatic nerve issues.
You may notice the pain worsens when you sit for a long time, stand for extended periods, or shift your weight from one leg to the other.
Movements that require twisting or putting uneven weight through the hips, like climbing stairs, rolling over in bed, or getting out of a car, can trigger SI joint pain.
Some patients describe a feeling that their hip is locking, giving out, or clicking when they move.
Diagnosing SI joint dysfunction can be tricky because it shares symptoms with other back and hip conditions. Dr. Michels typically uses a combination of:
Assessing pain patterns, testing mobility, and applying pressure to the joint during an exam can help identify SI joint dysfunction.
Diagnostic imaging studies can rule out disc problems or other causes of the symptoms.
Dr. Michels may recommend injecting a small amount of anesthetic into the SI joint under imaging guidance. If your pain significantly improves, it confirms the joint as the source of your discomfort.
Treatment options for SI joint dysfunction include:
If you’ve been struggling with nagging low back or pelvic pain and haven’t found relief, SI joint dysfunction may be to blame.
Schedule a visit with Dr. Michels at ISP Health today for an evaluation and treatment that relieves pain and restores mobility.
