What Causes SI Joint Pain, and What Can I Do About It?
Have you heard of the sacroiliac joint? Although you may not know the name, this joint (more commonly known as the SI joint) can cause pain and other bothersome symptoms. We spoke with Summit interventional pain specialist Connor Richardson, M.D., about what causes SI joint pain and how you can avoid it.
The SI joint connects the base of the spine and the pelvis. Although it doesn’t have a great deal of mobility, the SI joint can be irritated by prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Problems with the SI joint can be mistaken for other kinds of low back or leg pain, meaning the condition is sometimes misdiagnosed.
“The SI joint is an important weight-bearing joint involved in many movements we make every day. Not only is the joint commonly stressed, but there are multiple muscles and ligaments that stretch across the joint that can contribute to a patient’s pain as well,” said Summit interventional pain specialist Connor Richardson, M.D.
What causes SI joint pain, and what does it feel like?
One possible cause is injury or trauma. People can also develop osteoarthritis in the SI joint, caused by wear and tear over time. People who are pregnant are at increased risk of having SI joint pain, both from changes to the joint itself and from increased load.
If you have an SI joint problem, you can expect to feel pain in your buttocks, as well as in your lower back. The pain may radiate to your groin or down to your legs as well.
What makes SI joint pain worse?
- Lying down, sitting, or standing for a long time
- Change of position, like standing from a sitting position
- Unevenly distributing your weight, with more weight on one foot
- Climbing lots of stairs
- Anything that requires you to take big steps forward
Are treatments available?
“SI joint pain can be easily misdiagnosed or can occur at the same time as other sources of low back pain,” Dr. Richardson said. “That is why it is important for patients to be evaluated by a pain specialist and receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.”
Treatments for SI joint pain depend on its cause. Some examples include:
- Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen can be a great option
- Bracing — simple, yet effective
- Medications, from anti-inflammatory medicines to muscle relaxers
- Injections to reduce swelling and promote healing
If you’re having symptoms that could be caused by problems with the SI joint, the first step is to talk with your provider to determine next steps. At Summit, our SI joint pain experts are here to help.
