An Overview of Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Injections
Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Pain
The sacroiliac joint, just as the other body joints, have a layer of cartilage shielding the bone. This cartilage is not only a shock absorber but also assists in providing movement by having as a smooth surface for the joints to move against one another. In the event that the cartilage is worn out or damaged, which can occur naturally over time, the bones will begin to rub against each other. This may potentially result in osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis).
Arthritic damage in this fashion is one of the most common causes of sacroiliac joint pain. Pregnancy can be another cause. During this period, the hormones that are released to prepare the woman’s body for the impending childbirth cause the ligaments to relax. These relaxed ligaments allow for increased joint movements, which can result to abnormal levels of wear and stress from excess movement. The altered gait and additional weight associated with pregnant women add can extra stress on these joints as they struggle to support the body. Any alteration on the normal walking may increase the stress on the SI joints. These may include discrepancies in leg length, or pain in the knee, foot, or ankle.
Diagnosis of Sacroiliac Joint Pain
The initial step in the diagnosis of SI joint pain is generally a physical exam and an assessment of the patient’s medical history. Physicians will ask questions to determine what underlying disorders are causing the pain. This is critical in differentiating pain emanating from hips, lumbar spine, or SI joints. X-rays (radiographs) are used to exclude some possibilities which are likely to mimic sacroiliac pain. CT (computer tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are the most precise approaches in diagnosing SI joint pain, along with the injection on the pain areas.