Lower back pain is a common problem that can affect people of just about any age. Unfortunately, it’s also a condition that tends to happen a lot more frequently as we get older.
While some back pain is caused by overexertion or nerve-related problems like herniated discs, data show that nearly 30% of chronic low back pain may be attributed to pain in your sacroiliac (SI) joint, a large joint at the very bottom of your spine.
At Jersey Integrative Health and Wellness, our team uses sacroiliac joint injections to diagnose SI joint pain and to relieve its painful symptoms. If you have chronic lower back pain, SI joint injections could be just what you need to feel better.
Sacroiliac joint pain: Causes and symptoms
The SI joint is a large joint located in your lower back where the very end of your spine meets your pelvis. In adults, the joint is almost completely immobile, acting primarily as a shock absorber and to support flexibility in your lower back. In pregnant women, the joint loosens up a bit during labor to accommodate the baby’s head and shoulders during delivery.
Most SI pain occurs as a result of:
- Spine arthritis (both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Age-related spine changes
- Asymmetry or congenital deformity
- Traumatic injury
- Prior spine surgery
- Pregnancy
- Inflammation or infection in the joint or ligaments
Symptoms of SI joint problems include:
- Pain in the very lower part of your back
- Aching in the pelvis, butt, hip, or groin
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your leg
- Pain when moving to a standing position
- Problems getting comfortable when sitting
These symptoms are similar to symptoms associated with other lower back issues, including sciatica, which is why having an early diagnosis is critically important for getting the right treatment.
How sacroiliac joint injections work
Sacroiliac joint injections use a combination of anesthetics and corticosteroids. The anesthetics go to work immediately to provide temporary pain relief, while the corticosteroids decrease inflammation in the joint for long-lasting relief.
The injection only takes a few minutes to administer. After prepping your skin with an antiseptic cleanser, the doctor uses a special X-ray technique called fluorography to determine the precise placement of the injected solution.
Next, your skin is numbed with a local anesthetic, and the SI joint solution is administered directly to the joint. After the injection, you’ll go to a recovery area for a brief period of time before being discharged home. Be sure to have someone with you who can drive you home.
It can take up to three days or so for the steroid medication to “kick in.” Until then, you’ll probably still have some discomfort in the area, and you might have some soreness from the injection, too. Using an ice pack can relieve discomfort and tenderness due to the injection.
Learn how injections can help you
Don’t let lower back pain take a toll on your life. There are treatments that can help. To learn more about SI joint injections and other pain management options, call our office in Wayne, or Jersey City, New Jersey, or book an appointment online today.
