SI joints are the connecting points between the iliac bones and the sacrum, or simply between the pelvis and the spine. If you are enduring chronic sacroiliac, or SI, joint pain, finding relief is your top priority. This pain, if left untreated, can lead to a significant decrease in your quality of life. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to help you find relief from the pain of SI joint dysfunction.

Certain spine conditions can develop in the area that causes nerve compression, which is what leads to the SI joint pain. By diagnosing the cause of the SI joint pain, you and your doctor can find the most effective treatment options available to you. To learn about the potential causes of this condition as well as possible treatment methods to help you find relief, read the following article.

What causes SI joint pain?

The sacrum, located on the lowest level on the spine, is found immediately beneath the lumbar spine in the lower back. Also known as the tailbone, the vertebrae of the sacrum are placed under increased pressure and stress during day-to-day activities, which can lead to the development of a degenerative spine condition.

SI joints allow the vertebrae in this section of the spine to pivot and hinge, though there is not as much movement in the sacral spine as in the cervical or lumbar spines. To protect the joints during movement, they are covered by a layer of cartilage, lubricating the movements of the vertebrae. During the natural aging process, this cartilage can become worn, causing irritation, rubbing and painful symptoms.

The most common causes of SI joint pain include:

• Pregnancy
• Arthritis
• Irregular leg lengths
• Degenerative conditions
• Degenerative sacroiliitis
• Traumatic injury
• Previous fusion in lumbar spine
• Uneven hip alignment

Options for SI joint pain relief

Suffering from SI joint can be debilitating, regardless of the cause of your condition. That is why it is important to consult a doctor to determine an appropriate treatment regimen based on the severity of your symptoms. This may include medications like anti-inflammatories, pain medications and muscle relaxants, combined with physical therapy, heat massage, ultrasound, whirlpool and SI joint injections.

If conservative methods of treatment have not provided you with lasting pain relief, the minimally invasive spine surgery at USA Spine Care may be your best treatment option. At USA Spine Care we are committed to helping as many patients as possible find relief from the chronic symptoms of SI joint dysfunction.

Our procedures offer patients a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back surgery with a shorter recovery time and lower risk of complication.^ To see if you are a candidate for our minimally invasive spine surgery to help treat SI joint pain, reach out to USA Spine Care today. Our team will review your MRI for free* and discuss with you the best treatment options for pain relief.

USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. Contact our dedicated team with any questions or concerns you may have about our outpatient procedures. Our goal is to help you recover quickly so that you can get back to your daily routine.

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