Sacroiliac Joint Pain

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SI Joint Stretches

Sacroiliac Pain

Description

The sacroiliac (SI) joint is the part of your lower back made up of the sacrum and the top part (iliac) of your pelvis. It is the part of the low back just behind your. You have a left and a right sacroiliac joint. Ligaments (as seen in the image to the right) hold these bones in place.

      • Activities that include twisting, bending, or heavy lifting.

      • A fall or direct blow to the area

      • Imbalance of the muscles around your hip or pelvis from one leg being shorter/longer than the other

      • Poor posture

      • Loose ligaments in the sacroiliac joint.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include:

  • Pain in the sacroiliac area of the low back

  • Trouble bending or twisting your low back

  • Pain after sitting for a long time

  • Stiffness in the low back, hip, or leg

Examination

After concluding the lumbar inter-vertebral mobility and accessory movements tests, examination of the sacroiliac joint can begin. Some of the tests that will be performed include: Standing Forward-Bending Test, Stork Test, Backward-Bending Test, Sitting Forward-Flexion Test, Posteroanterior Spring of the Sacrum Test, Gaenslen's Sign, Patrick's (Fabere) Test, and Sacroiliac Distraction Test.

Treatment

The early (acute) stages of back pain with muscle spasms can be treated with ice for 15-20 minutes every 4-6 hours for the first 24-48 hours. The following are ways to treat SI joint pain:

  • Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDs; muscle relaxants or pain medications if recommended by your physician.

  • Beginning a regular exercise program to gently stretch and strengthen you muscles as recommended by your Athletic Trainer.

  • Mobilization of the sacroiliac joint (this is done by a trained healthcare provider)

Recovery/Rehabilitation

The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at different rates. Return to your sport will be determined by how soon your back recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better.

It is important that you have coordinated care with your Athletic Trainer or Therapist and fully recovered from you low back pain before you return to your sport. You must have the same pain-free range of motion as before the injury, and full strength. You must be able to run, jump and twist without pain. Click here for some basic SI joint exercises.