Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis)

Causes / Diagnosis / Symptoms / Treatment

Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis) refers to the inflammation in the lower joints connecting your spine to your pelvic bone. This area and the structures taking part in the articulation make up a large part of your lower back and hips. Therefore, Sacroiliac Dysfunction usually presents with varying degrees of lower back pain that is sometimes accompanied by hip or leg pain.

Various muscles and ligaments contribute to the formation of the sacroiliac joint. Infection, trauma, or any injury to these structures can cause Sacroiliac Dysfunction.

Note that the symptoms of Sacroiliac Dysfunction coincide with those of sciatica caused by a lumbar or sacral disc herniation. However, there are many differences in the etiology seen on imaging and other testing.

Causes Of Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis)

Anything that adds pressure or stress on your pelvic girdle can give rise to Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis). The stress can damage the structures forming the joint, like the muscles, ligaments, or bone. Moreover, abrasion in the articular cartilage can cause lower back pain associated with Sacroiliac Dysfunction.

Potential causes include:

- Childbirth – Ligaments forming the sacroiliac joint loosen in some women, giving rise to Sacroiliac Dysfunction.
- Sports or jobs that add stress on your lower back
- A leg length difference or anything that causes gait abnormalities can also cause Sacroiliac Dysfunction.
- Sudden trauma to the lower back
- Prior surgery

Diagnosis Of Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis)

Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis) is diagnosed based on a combination of tests, including patient history, clinical evaluation, and other diagnostic tests.

1. Patient History: Some questions are asked about the onset and type of pain, surgical history, and recent injuries.
2. Orthopedic Tests: If a patient feels pain while maneuvering the sacroiliac joint, the test comes positive, and a diagnosis of Sacroiliac Dysfunction can be made.
3. Palpation: Deep thumb palpitations are performed to check for pain.
4. X-Ray: Imaging can show osteoarthirits, or joint dysfunction which can help with a positive diagnosis.

Symptoms Of Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis)

The symptoms of Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis) are manifold, and they spring up due to the effect it has on the nearby structures in addition to the primary symptoms.

They include:

- Radiating pain that mimics sciatic pain
- Diminished range of motion
- Lower back pain
- Tenderness on palpation
- Stiffness
- Pain on exertion
- Instability while standing and walking

Although the pain is usually bilateral, it can also be unilateral in some cases.

Surgical Treatments For Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis)

Sacroiliac Dysfunction is not usually treated surgically, however if severe enough it would be treated via sacroiliac joint fusion surgery. Screws, plates, and other tools are used to fix the sacrum with the pelvic bone, making a permanent, synthetic sacroiliac joint.

This surgery, if it goes without any complications, may rid the patient of all the symptoms associated with Sacroiliac Dysfunction. However, the extent of the damage determines the viability of the surgery, and there have been cases where joint fusion failed, and the symptoms worsened!

Minimally Invasive Treatments For Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis)

Non-invasive treatment modalities are more common and aim to reduce the pain and restore the range of motion that is lost due to Sacroiliac Dysfunction (Sacroiliitis).

They include:

- Chiropractic care and physical therapy to improve mobility, reduce pain, and strengthen around the joint
- Sacroiliac joint injections to decrease inflammation
- Various forms of back support or temporary bracing
- Ice packs to decrease inflammation, followed by light heat to increase blood flow to the area.