Sacroiliac Joint Disease – Understanding the Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Pain, its Symptoms and How to Treat it
The sacroiliac joints are located where your lower spine and pelvic area connect. These joints are especially important for absorbing shock between the upper and lower parts of the body in addition to allowing forward and backward motion. However, when these joints become inflamed, it can cause a condition known as sacroiliac joint disease. This disorder can lead to pain in the lower back, buttocks and even extend down one or both your legs.
The Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Disease
Sacroiliac joint disease can sometimes be difficult to diagnose as it often gets mistaken for other conditions. In a lot of cases, sacroiliac joint pain may appear without an obvious cause. However, some common triggers for sacroiliac joint disease may include:
- Traumatic injury or sudden impact from a fall or motor vehicle accident
- Osteoarthritis that develops with age can occur in the sacroiliac joints
- The added weight gained during pregnancy can put additional stress on your sacroiliac joints
- In rare cases, an infection could cause your sacroiliac joints to become inflamed
The Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Disease
Pain that is associated to sacroiliac joint disease often occurs in the lower back and buttocks region. Other symptoms experienced with this condition frequently include:
- Dull, aching lower back pain that can be felt on one or both sides
- Pain that radiates from the lower back down to the hips, buttock, pelvis, and upper thighs
- Tingling or numbness in the buttocks or back of the thigh
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion in the lower back, hips and pelvis that causes difficulty when bending or walking upstairs
- Pain that gets worse when putting additional strain on the sacroiliac joints such as using stairs, running, or lying on one side
- Instability in the lower back and pelvis when walking or moving from standing to sitting
Treatment Options for Sacroiliac Joint Disease
Depending on the cause and your signs and symptoms, treatment for sacroiliac joint disease will vary. These treatments usually focus on relieving pain and restoring joint mobility. Treatment options for this condition may include:
- Doctor recommended pain medication
- Range-of-motion and stretching exercises to maintain strength and flexibility
- Joint injections to reduce swelling and relieve pain
- Electrical stimulation of the sacrum to reduce sacroiliac joint pain
- Sacroiliac joint fusion surgery for severe cases, which fuses the two affected bones together
If you are experiencing sacroiliac joint pain, contact us at Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic. As an industry-leading neurosurgeon, Dr. Lewis has over 20 years of experience and can help you find the right solution to help you live a pain-free life. He has taught technical surgical courses across the United States.
Contact us today to learn more about sacroiliac joint pain or to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists. The operations can be performed under moderate sedation rather than general anesthesia. We’ll find a solution that works for you. Call us at (601) 366-1011.