Pain in the lower back, hips, or buttocks that lingers and worsens with activity can be easy to brush off, until it disrupts your life. If sacroiliitis is the reason for your discomfort, gaining insight into the condition is crucial for managing pain and preventing long-term dysfunction.
At Pain Management Specialists in Rockville and Frederick, Maryland, our team specializes in diagnosing and treating spine-related pain with precision and compassion. Sacroiliitis is one of those conditions that often flies under the radar when it comes to spine pain. Here's what you need to know.
Sacroiliitis describes inflammation of one or both sacroiliac (SI) joints, located where your spine meets your pelvis. These joints are small but vital as they stabilize your body when you walk, stand, or climb stairs.
When the SI joints get irritated or inflamed, they can trigger pain in the lower back, hips, buttocks, and sometimes down into the thighs. The pain is often mistaken for sciatica, a herniated disc, or even hip arthritis, which can delay accurate diagnosis.
The cause isn’t always clear-cut, but common contributors include several biomechanical, inflammatory, and lifestyle-related factors including:
Knowing what might contribute to your sacroiliitis can guide more targeted, effective treatment. If you fall into any of these categories, early evaluation can prevent your symptoms from getting worse.
Sacroiliitis pain often worsens with:
Unlike nerve pain, it usually doesn't travel past the knee. However, some people experience referred pain that mimics sciatica. SI joint tests during a physical exam, such as the FABER or Gaenslen’s test, help isolate the source. Injections using a local anesthetic into the SI joint can confirm the diagnosis. If your pain improves significantly, the SI joint is the likely culprit.
Managing sacroiliitis doesn’t always involve injections. Some of the first steps often involve:
These approaches can be effective when implemented early. If symptoms persist, advanced options like corticosteroid injections or radiofrequency ablation may be necessary.
There’s no one-size-fits-all cure, but with the right approach, sacroiliitis can be managed effectively. Identifying and addressing the underlying cause is key. Some people need short-term care, while others with autoimmune-related sacroiliitis may need ongoing management.
Left unaddressed, sacroiliitis can trigger ongoing pain, and impact your mobility and quality of life in a major way. Inflammation can lead to joint deterioration or fusion in some autoimmune cases. It may also alter your movement patterns, leading to secondary issues in your hips, spine, or knees.
Consult with a pain management professional if your lower back or pelvic pain is interfering with your sleep, movement, or ability to be productive, or if it has not improved with rest, over-the-counter medications, or physical therapy. Your chances of avoiding long-term issues increase with the timing of your intervention.
Pain Management Specialists provides tailored care based on the unique factors driving your symptoms. If you’re struggling with stubborn back or pelvic pain and suspect sacroiliitis could be the cause, don’t wait. Contact us to set up an appointment with our team to get answers and start feeling better with a plan that works for you.
