Sacroiliac Joint

The sacroiliac joint (SI joint) is located between the junction of the sacrum and ilium bones in the pelvis.  The joint is held together by strong ligaments. The SI joints’ function is to distribute the weight from the spine to the hip bones.  There is a right and left SI joint.

With trauma and/or arthritis, the SI joint can become inflamed causing a person to experience pain in the low back, buttocks, and upper legs.  This inflammation causes a condition called sacroiliitis.

At Pain Management Centers of New England, the premier pain management practice in Massachusetts, the experienced providers offer integrative and comprehensive care in a comfortable and accessible setting. The physicians and advance practice providers staff multiple locations in Newburyport, Danvers, and Gloucester, Massachusetts, so call the nearest office to schedule a compreshensive pain management consultation or book online today.

What are some of the causes of sacroiliitis?

• Arthritis
• Trauma
• Ankylosing and psoriatic arthritis
• Pregnancy
• Infection

How is sacroiliitis treated?

Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen, acetaminophen, and stretching exercises are the mainstays to treat sacroiliac pain.   For sacroiliac pain refractory to these conservative treatments, a sacroiliac joint injection may be medically necessary to relieve the pain.

What is a sacroiliac joint injection?

A sacroiliac joint injection in an injection of a mixture of a numbing agent and a steroid into the joint.  We perform our sacroiliac injection under x-ray guidance to ensure that the medication is delivered directly into the joint.  When an injection contains steroid it is considered a therapeutic injection.  The local anesthetic may produce immediate pain relief for the next several hours.  In general, the anti-inflammatory steroid will take several days to produce longer lasting pain relief.  

What is a diagnostic sacroiliac joint injection?

A diagnostic SI joint injection is performed in the exact manner as a therapeutic injection.  However, only a numbing solution is injected into the joint.  Steroid is not used.  If the patient’s pain temporary resolves for a few hours after the diagnostic injection, the results suggest the patient’s pain is due to sacroiliitis.

How do I schedule an appointment?

To schedule an appointment with one of our pain management experts, please call one of the the following:

1) Pain Management Centers of New England, Newburyport, MA... phone number (978) 992-4580

2) Pain Management Center at Lahey Outpatient Center in Danvers, MA... phone number (978) 304-8601

3) Pain Management Center at Addison Gilbert Hospital, Gloucester, MA... phone number (978) 304-8601