Sacroiliac joint is the joint where the bony part at bottom of spine joins the ilium part of the hip bone. These may be a cause for back pain which can be relieved by injections.
This procedure is done as a day case procedure. X-ray is used to direct the needle in to the joint. You need to lie on your front for approximately 15-20 minutes. Local anaesthetic is given to skin before the actual spinal needle is inserted. Once the correct position is found, position is checked with contrast dye in X-ray and then the joint is injected with local anaesthetic and steroid.
Instructions to patients: You can eat and drink on the morning of procedure. Take all your medicines unless instructed otherwise. Once you come to hospital, a nurse will check all details and note it. The pain doctor will explain procedure and get a consent form signed. You should be prepared to stay in hospital at least for a couple of hours (may be longer occasionally). You cannot drive or lift anything heavy or hot till midnight. Please arrange for someone to collect you after procedure.
Side-effects: More discomfort for first few days after injection (flare-up pain); infection (rare); bruising at site of injection; weakness due to local anaesthetic (lasts for few hours); steroid effects (puffiness face, blood sugar changes if diabetic).
Post-procedure instructions: You need to maintain a pain diary after procedure, which will help doctor plan further interventions in future. Take it easy till next day; continue taking your pain killers till you notice any improvement.
Faculty of pain medicine guidance available at Sacroiliac injection
If you need any further details, don't hesitate to ask the pain doctor before the procedure.
If you are on any blood thinning medicines like warfarin, heparin, plavix (clopidogrel) or aspirin, please let the doctor know.
Dr Thanthullu Vasu MBBS MD DNB FRCA Dip Pain Mgt FFPMRCA FIPP