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27, Jul 2024
Got Back Pain? It Could Be Sacroiliitis – Here’s What to Do
Do you feel pain when standing up from your chair? Do you experience stiffness in your lower back? Do you sense pain while turning in bed? These could be signs of a condition called sacroiliitis.
What is Sacroiliitis?
The sacroiliac (SI) joint is one of the major and large joints in our body. It connects the lower part of your spine (the sacrum) to your pelvis (the ilium). This joint is crucial because it transfers the entire weight of your upper body to your legs, allowing you to walk, run, and stand. Even though the sacroiliac joint is relatively immobile compared to other joints, it still provides essential stability and flexibility to your lower back.
Sacroiliitis occurs when this joint becomes inflamed. This inflammation can result from various causes such as repetitive stress from activities like bike riding on uneven roads, physical trauma from accidents, age-related wear and tear, and in rare cases, genetic conditions like ankylosing spondylitis or even cancer. Surprisingly, sacroiliitis is found to be responsible for 40% of the back pain patients visiting hospitals.
What are the Symptoms?
Common symptoms of sacroiliitis include:
- Pain when waking up from bed: A sharp or dull pain that greets you in the morning.
- Pain when turning in bed: Discomfort that makes it hard to change positions during sleep.
- Pain when getting up from a chair: A noticeable ache or stiffness when rising from a seated position.
- Pain radiating to the knee: Pain that starts in the lower back and can travel down to your knee.
How Do I Get Rid of It?
For most people (90%), sacroiliac joint pain is mild and subsides with a short course of pain medication (3-5 days). After this initial treatment, maintaining proper posture, engaging in back-strengthening exercises, and avoiding known triggers can help prevent a relapse.
For the remaining 10% of patients, pain can persist and may be resistant to standard treatments. These patients may require more intensive, multidisciplinary pain management, including physiotherapy and medical interventions.
Treatment Options:
Sacroiliac Joint Injections with Steroids: This is an outpatient procedure performed with ultrasound or C-arm guidance. It has excellent results and a high level of safety and effectiveness according to medical literature. The injection helps reduce inflammation and pain in the joint.
Sacroiliac Joint Denervation Procedures with Radiofrequency Ablation: For patients who do not respond to steroid injections, cooled RF ablation can provide relief. This procedure uses radio waves to generate heat and “deactivate” the nerves causing pain, offering long-term relief when performed by skilled professionals.
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Surgery: In the rarest cases, surgery may be necessary to fuse the joint, providing long-term relief from pain. This is typically considered only when other treatments have failed.
Final Thoughts
If you suspect you have sacroiliitis, it’s important to consult with a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Early intervention can help manage symptoms effectively and improve your quality of life. Remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper posture, regular exercise, and avoiding activities that strain your back can go a long way in preventing and managing sacroiliitis.
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Informative article
Thank you mam
Very useful information sir.As many people suffer from lower back pain and neglect it ,they ll be benefited from ur efforts sir.
Thank you Shraddha