What is the Sacroiliac Joint and SI Joint Dysfunction?

The SI joints help distribute the upper body’s weight evenly across your lower body. They also act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact of your movements and protecting your spine and other bones from damage. However, because the SI joints continuously bear the weight of your upper body, they may wear and cause conditions such as SI joint dysfunction.

What is SI Joint Dysfunction?

SI joint dysfunction is a relatively common cause of low back pain. It occurs with abnormal movement of the SI joint. Typically the sacroiliac joints move very little, but SI joint dysfunction may cause one or both of the joints to move too much or not enough. This may lead to inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the affected SI joint.

Symptoms of SI Joint Dysfunction

SI joint dysfunction is often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may mimic other conditions such as a herniated disc, sciatica, or lumbar spinal stenosis. The Fortin finger test is commonly used to diagnose sacroiliac joint dysfunction. In addition to the Fortin finger test, SI joint dysfunction may also be diagnosed based on the following symptoms:

• Dull lower back pain on one side of the spine
• Leg pain, burning, tingling, or numbness
• Tenderness and muscle tightness in the buttocks or hips
• Trouble sitting for long periods of time
• Leg instability

While sacroiliac joint pain often affects only one SI joint, it is possible to have pain in both joints. Furthermore, SI joint pain is usually worst in the morning and improves during the day. When trying to determine whether sacroiliac joint pain is the cause of your symptoms, it is best to see a healthcare provider trained to detect SI joint disorders. They will help you determine whether SI joint dysfunction is the cause of your pain and recommend the best treatment options.

Causes of SI Joint Dysfunction

There are several reasons why your SI joints may become dysfunctional. One common cause is pregnancy. As the baby grows, it puts additional pressure on the SI joints, which may lead to pain and abnormal movement. SI joint pain from pregnancy is usually temporary and goes away postpartum. Other causes include:

• A traumatic injury to the SI joints
• Osteoarthritis
• Infections of the SI joints
• Gait issues

Moreover, previous lower back surgeries or injuries may increase your risk of SI joint dysfunction. Some causes of SI joint dysfunction are outside of your control, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. For example, strengthening the SI joints may aid in preventing sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

How to Strengthen the SI Joints

Keeping your sacroiliac joints healthy and strong may help you prevent SI joint dysfunction. Exercises and stretches that strengthen the SI joints may also help you find pain relief. The following are some exercises that may strengthen the SI joints:

• Bridges: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Raise your hips off the ground, using your glutes and hamstrings to lift your body. Hold for three to five seconds and then lower back down.
• Clamshells: Lie on your side with your knees bent and feet together. Use your glutes to lift your top knee while keeping your feet touching. Hold for three to five seconds, and then lower your knee back down.
• Yoga poses: Yoga poses such as the pigeon and cat-cow may help stretch and strengthen the SI joints.

While these exercises may help prevent SI joint dysfunction, it is important to see a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine. This is especially true if you are pregnant, have SI joint pain, or believe you may have SI joint dysfunction.

Regain SI Joint Function with LinQ from PainTEQ

If your sacroiliac joint is not functioning properly, it may lead to chronic back pain and other symptoms that impact your quality of life. PainTEQ is here to help you achieve optimal SI joint function through the LinQ SI Joint Stabilization System. Click here to find a provider near you who is trained in this therapy. If you are a healthcare provider interested in offering LinQ in your practice, learn more here and start improving your patient outcomes.