Learn About Low Back and SI Pain with Dr. Desai
Up to 85% of Americans experience low back pain at some point in their lives. There are many causes of lower back pain that range from injury to deformity. There is, however, a commonly overlooked cause that is responsible for chronic low back pain in 15-30% of the cases – SI joint dysfunction, also known as sacroiliac joint pain, and sacral pain. Dr. Bharat Desai unpacks more in the video below:
The sacroiliac joint or SI joint, as it is more commonly known, is the link between the upper and lower body, it is the joint between the sacrum (bottom of spine) and the iliac (pelvis). The SI joint is actually has two joints, on either side of the spine that hold the weight of your body as it shifts when you walk.
SI joint pain can be caused by trauma or injury to the low back, childbearing, degeneration from arthritis or may develop in individuals who had undergone a previous lumber fusion. When your pain is caused by the SI joint, it can appear in many different places from the low back to the pelvis, hips, glutes and even radiate down to your calves. Sometimes the pain is a dull, aching pain and other times it can be a sharp, stabbing pain. It is estimated that up to 30% of this kind of pain is caused by SI Joint dysfunction.
Unfortunately, these symptoms mimic many other problems of the spine, legs, and hips therefore it is really important to find a proper diagnosis for your pain.
The first step in diagnosis is a physical exam, your doctor may also uses diagnostic imaging and diagnostic injections to help determine the source of your pain and determine if it may be caused by your SI joint.
There are many treatments available today to help stabilize the joint and eliminate the pain caused from SI joint dysfunction. Therapies can range from over-the-counter medication, injections, physical therapy to SI joint fusion, which is a minimally invasive procedure. If you suffer from low back pain, visit a specialist who can determine what is the root cause may be and help you get back to living an active, healthy, pain-free life.