September is Pain Awareness Month – Could your back pain be caused by your SI joint?

Up to 30% of patients with lower back pain can blame not their backs, but their sacroiliac (SI) joint for the discomfort.

The sacroiliac joint—an often overlooked and misunderstood source of lower back pain—is located on either side of the body, where the lower spine and pelvis meet. These joints stabilize the pelvis so it can help support the weight of the upper body.

Typically, the word joint suggests a range of motion and movement as is associated with the elbow or knee joint. When functioning properly, the SI joint has an extremely limited range of motion. When these joints are compressed or inflamed (called sacroiliitis) due to trauma, abnormal motion, or misalignment of the joint (among other things), significant pain can ensue.

Women who have experienced natural childbirth are also at an increased risk for SI joint dysfunction (muscles around the SI joint relax during the birth process causing joint instability that can cause new mothers significant pain).

Osteoarthritis is another well known cause of SI joint dysfunction that is caused by the natural wear and tear of sacroiliac joint bones. A form of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine called ankylosing spondylitis can also lead to SI joint dysfunction, and in rare cases, the SI joint can become infected.

SI joint pain is typically felt in the buttocks and lower back, sometimes extending into the groin and down the leg. The pain is felt most whenever the body is in motion. Moderate to mild exercise such as running, cycling, and even walking or climbing stairs can trigger intense pain.For others, simply the act of standing and sitting can be painful. Feeling sharp discomfort when bearing more weight on one leg than the other can also indicate SI joint dysfunction.

Diagnosing SI joint dysfunction as the source of a patient’s pain can be tricky, as it can mimic more common back ailments like herniated discs and sciatica. One common way of identifying SI joint problems is injecting the joint with an anesthetic. If discomfort is relieved, chances are the pain source has been detected.

The good news for both physicians and their patients is that there is an effective way to treat SI joint pain with a minimally invasive procedure that can be completed in less than an hour. Current data finds 60% of patients reported 100% pain relief.

To learn about incorporating LinQ into your practice, call 855-248-7246 or emailinfo@painteq.com.