What Are the Treatments Available for Sacroiliac Joint Disease?

One of the biggest causes of low back pain is sacroiliac joint disease, also known as the SI joint. The SI joint is located at the bottom of the low back region and there's one on each side. It is at the point where the pelvis connects to the sacrum. It gives you double the possibility of developing arthritis pain in the low back, great right!

The sectoral joint is a weight bearing joint and there are many ligaments and muscles groups that attach for support. These joints have cartilage just like any other and are potentially prone to arthritis and inflammation.

If the patient has a flareup of arthritis or inflammation with a lot of pain in this region, they typically will complain when excessive twisting motions are performed along with lengthy sessions of sitting.

For a patient who has symptoms of SI joint arthritis or inflammation, initial treatment should consist of Tylenol medication along with anti-inflammatories over-the-counter. They should be taken according to the manufacturer's recommended dosing. Chiropractic treatment and or physical therapy may be extremely beneficial in subsiding the pain.

A tens unit can also provide excellent relief. This is a device that puts foam pads over the skin and can provide a little electrical current that replaces pain with a tingling sensation. It can also help the brain to release endorphins which are the body's natural pain relievers.

Acupuncture has been around for a long time but it is becoming more mainstream as high-level research showing that works well for arthritis conditions such as SI joint pain.

Chiropractic manipulation may help place the SI joint back into alignment. There's not a huge amount of motion associated with this joint but it can become out of alignment.

Steroid injections into the sacroiliac joint may be necessary with a pain management doctor. These should be performed under fluoroscopic guidance which is a real time form of x-ray. The joint is irregular and may be difficult to get into, but a well-placed steroid injection can provide pain relief for months.

Additional types of injections include nonsteroidal homeopathic anti-inflammatory medication which can be injected into the joint as well and potentially be very effective.

Patients may receive a radiofrequency ablation around the sacroiliac joint. This can destroy the tiny little nerve endings that are bringing pain to the joint and this can provide pain relief for a few months to upwards of 2 years.

There are significant options available for pain relief for the pain of the SI joint. Thankfully there are substantial options available.