Sacroiliac Joint Injection Specialist

What are the sacroiliac joints?

Your sacroiliac joints connect your hip bones (iliac bones) to your sacrum, which is the end portion of your spine. Cartilage cushions these joints, and they are held together by strong ligaments and muscles.

There is limited motion in your sacroiliac joints, and their primary function is to provide stability and absorb some of the stress placed on your body when walking or lifting. 

Sacroiliac joint pain is common and may develop due to the degenerative changes that occur in the joint as you get older. The symptoms you experience with sacroiliac joint pain are similar to those caused by a herniated disc or sciatica, and misdiagnosis can occur.

What is a sacroiliac joint injection?

A sacroiliac joint injection serves as a tool to help diagnose sacroiliac joint pain. 

When you visit Indiana Neurology and Pain Center with chronic lower back or leg pain, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause. 

In addition to obtaining a thorough medical history and performing a physical, your pain management expert may also request diagnostic imaging to confirm or rule out the root cause of your pain. 

If your provider suspects your sacroiliac joint is the source of your pain, then they may perform a sacroiliac joint injection to confirm a diagnosis.

What happens during a sacroiliac joint injection?

During the sacroiliac joint injection, your provider inserts a needle into your sacroiliac joint using guided imagery. Then, they administer a local anesthetic and corticosteroid into the joint.

If your sacroiliac joint is the source of your pain, then you should start to notice a reduction in your discomfort within 20 to 30 minutes after the injection.

What can I expect after a sacroiliac joint injection?

After a sacroiliac joint injection, your provider at Indiana Neurology and Pain Center requests you track your pain levels over the next week and return to the office to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

Your pain management expert can diagnose sacroiliac joint pain if you have a 75% reduction in pain following the injection. In many cases, the injection provides pain relief for several months, and you may repeat it up to three times a year.

If your sacroiliac joint injection successfully reduces your pain, your provider at Indiana Neurology and Pain Center may recommend radiofrequency ablation for long-term pain relief. The non-surgical procedure destroys the nerves that send the pain signal to your brain.

For comprehensive care for your chronic pain condition, call Indiana Neurology and Pain Center, or book an appointment online today.