Sacro iliac joint injections

The sacroiliac joint is thought to cause low back and/or leg pain.

Research has shown the occurrence of sacro-iliac pain in 20% of chronic back pain patients with L5/S1 pain.

The pain may be similar to that from a lumbar disc prolapse, and is difficult to distinguish. This condition is more common in younger and middle aged women.

The source of sacroiliac joint pain

The sacroiliac joint lies close to the spine and connects the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) with the ilium, part of the pelvis. It is a very strong, force-transmission joint which takes all the forces of the upper body and transmits them to the legs.

It may acts as a shock-absorbing structure but is too stiff to absorb much energy in activities, and it does not move much. Abnormal joint motion may be related to pain problems, and may be due to increased or decreased movement occurring at the joint

Normal sacro iliac joint pain

Sacro iliac pain is always felt over the sacro iliac joint on the affected side, and can spread down the buttock or back of the thigh, or into the groin of the same side. It is rare for sacro iliac pain to extend below the knee.

Sacro iliac joint injection

These injections that are mostly used for diagnosing and treating the low back pain from sacro iliac joint dysfunction. The anaesthetist uses fluoroscopic guidance (a form of live x-ray) and inserts a needle into the sacroiliac joint to inject an anaesthetic agent and a steroid (an anti-inflammatory medication). As with other block, doctors may agree to do this procedure up to three times per year.