If you are experiencing low back pain, groin pain or pain radiating from the buttock into the thigh and have been diagnosed with sacroiliitis, you may have sacroiliitis. What is sacroiliitis? Sacroiliitis is a condition characterized as inflammation of one or both of the sacroiliac joints, located where the lower spine and pelvis connect. Located in the Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth, Texas area, OPTIMAL Pain & Regenerative Medicine® is experienced at assisting patients with a number of sacroiliitis treatment options.
What is Sacroiliitis?
Sacroiliitis is a term used to describe inflammation in the sacroiliac joint. Located in the area where the lower spine and pelvis connect, the sacroiliac joints provide shock absorption for the spine and provide a minimal amount of movement during weight-bearing activities. When these joints become inflamed from a traumatic injury, arthritis, infection, pregnancy or other cause, a patient may experience groin pain, low back pain and/or radiating pain into the thigh from the buttocks. A reported 40-50 percent of patients sustain this condition after a traumatic event such as a fall or automobile accident.
The pain associated with sacroiliitis may be worsened by a number of activities, including:
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- Bending
- Running
- Climbing stairs
- Bearing more weight on one leg
How is Sacroiliitis Diagnosed?
Sacroiliitis pain can be difficult to diagnose since there are a wide number of conditions that cause low back pain. A pain physician will perform a thorough medical review and physical examination by gently stressing the patient’s sacroiliac joint to determine if pain is present. An X-ray or MRI scan may be performed to reveal any signs of stress or damage to the joints and/or surrounding tissues and muscles. A patient may also receive a diagnostic block to the affected area to determine if a positive response to the pain is experienced after the injection. If a positive response occurs, a physician will then determine the correct sacroiliitis treatment.
What are Sacroiliitis Treatment Options?
Sacroiliitis treatment is dependent on a patient’s individual signs and symptoms, as well as the cause of pain associated with sacroiliitis. A pain physician may recommend a variety of sacroiliitis treatment options, including:
- Medications such as pain relievers and muscle relaxants
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Electrical stimulation
- Sacroiliac fusion/stabilization
Contact OPTIMAL Pain & Regenerative Medicine® in the Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth, Texas area to discuss sacroiliitis and sacroiliitis treatment options. Our pain physicians are here to provide additional resources on this condition and answer the question, what is sacroiliitis?