A painful sacroiliac joint is one of the more common causes of mechanical low back pain with our patients in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Portsmouth.  There are two SI joints, each located on either side of the sacrum.

There are many different terms for sacroiliac joint problems, including SI joint dysfunction and SI joint inflammation (sacroilitis).

According to back doctor Winifred Bragg, Sacroiliac joint dysfunction may occur when an SI joint is injured or irritated. This is seldom dangerous and rarely requires surgery.

SI Joint Dysfunction Symptoms

The most common symptom of SI joint dysfunction is pain in the low back that is aggravated by prologned sitting, standing, and stair climbing.

The diagnosis of Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is often overlooked by medical professionals in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Portsmouth.

There are many different causes of SI joint pain. The SI joints have a cartilage layer covering the bone which allows for some movement and acts as a shock absorber between the bones. When this cartilage is damaged or worn away, the bones begin to rub on each other, and degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) occurs. This is the most common cause of SI joint dysfunction.

SI joint dysfunction can also occur from trauma, such as injuries resulting from a fall or associated with a motor vehicle accident.

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Treatments for SI Joint Dysfunctions

According to our back doctor who serves patients in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Portsmouth, the most accurate method of diagnosing SI joint dysfunction is by performing an injection that can numb the irritated area. An anesthetic material with a steroid can be injected directly into the SI joint. This is usually performed with X-ray guidance to verify that the injection is correctly placed in the SI joint.

If the anesthetic and steroid relieves the pain from inflammation within the SI joint, this helps to verify that the SI joint is the source of pain, and treatment can target the SI joint specifically.

Patients often work with a physical therapist who provides conservative measures to alleviate SI joint pain.

If You Live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth or Suffolk, Let Our Back Doctor Help You to Relieve Your Pain without Surgery. Together We Strive to Knockout Pain®

Get rid of SI joint pain and discomfort by discussing treatment options with Dr. Bragg and the staff at the Spine and Orthopedic Pain Center. Make an appointment today.