What is Sacroiliac Joint Disease?
The sacroiliac joints have an important role: they support the weight of the upper body when we stand or walk. You have two of these joints in our lower back on each side of your spine. Sacroiliac joint disease occurs when these joints become inflamed and cause pain. The inflammation can be caused by a sports injury, a fall, jogging or arthritis.
Symptoms
You may feel a dull or sharp pain that starts in your sacroiliac joints and moves to your buttocks, thighs, groin or upper back. It can happen when you stand up. It may be on one side of your back. It may bother you in the morning and decrease throughout the day.
Treatment
The first thing your doctor will tell you is to stop doing the activities, especially sports, that are causing pain. You may also feel relief from physical therapy that improves strength and make you more flexible. You may get heat and cold treatments, massage, stretching or a shot of cortisone to reduce inflammation. Adjustments by a chiropractor can help relieve pain. If all else fails, your doctor may use a needle to permanently damage the nerve that sends pain signals from your SI joint to your brain.