SI Joint Injections
At the base of the spine, the sacroiliac joint or SI joint connects the spine to the sacrum. This joint is important for stabilizing the spine and allowing slight movement between the spine and sacrum. Like any joint, the sacroiliac joint can have injuries, inflammation or arthritis, resulting in stiffness and pain. At Allied Pain & Spine Institute, we offer pain relief with SI joint injections at our medical center in San Leandro, CA.
SI Joint Pain Symptoms
The SI joint can cause a wide variety of localized and radiating symptoms. Its location is near where the sciatic nerves exit the lower spine – it is possible for an inflamed or damaged SI joint to cause sciatica symptoms that radiate from the lower back down into the buttock and leg. These can include pain, tingling, numbness and weakness. SI joint dysfunction can also affect mobility and cause localized pain at the connection of the spine and pelvic bone.
The problem with SI joint pain symptoms is that they can also be caused by many other disorders. Lumbar herniated discs, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, piriformis syndrome and other conditions can cause low back pain and sciatica. SI joint injections can be used as both a pain relief and diagnostic tool to identify the source of chronic pain.
SI Joint Pain Relief
During a SI joint injection, a syringe with steroids and local anesthetic is guided through imaging into the joint. The medications are delivered, numbing the joint immediately. For some patients, this may provide pain relief from their symptoms if the SI joint is the source of inflammation or nerve irritation. The local anesthetic does wear off over the next couple hours, but the steroid can begin working over the next few days.
If SI joint injections provide pain relief, it can be beneficial for long-term pain relief. Identifying the source of pain is essential for creating an effective treatment plan for chronic low back, pelvic and leg pain.
At Allied Pain & Spine Institute, we focus on accurate diagnosis to find the source of chronic pain. SI joint injections can provide pain relief and diagnostic information that is valuable for chronic pain treatment. Contact our clinic in San Leandro, CA, for more information on chronic pain treatment.