Interventional Treatments for Sacroiliitis

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If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic lower back pain, there’s a chance that the cause might be a condition known as Sacroiliitis. Sacroiliitis (pronounced “say-kroe-il-e-I-tis") is a term used to describe pain that originates in the sacroiliac (SI) joint(s).  

Today we’re going to share with you the basics of understanding and treating Sacroiliitis, including information on symptoms, causes and possible complications. Read on for all this and more!

 

Symptoms 

In the simplest of terms, Sacroiliitis is when one or both sacroiliac joints are inflamed. This inflammation can cause pain in several areas, primarily: 

  • Lower back or gluteal

  • Groin

  • Thigh/leg (one or both)

This pain can often be aggravated by motions that cause your hips to rotate or long periods of standing or sitting. Some patients also report greater discomfort after climbing stairs, running, putting weight on one leg or using a longer stride when walking or running.

If you or someone you love is experiencing these types of symptoms, we encourage you to make an appointment with an interventional pain physician who can help you identify the cause.

  

Causes

One of the unique elements about Sacroiliitis is that the pain it causes in the lower back region is actually originating from a separate location.  For that reason, it is often misdiagnosed as other more common chronic lower back pain conditions.

Some of the causes of Sacroiliitis include:

  • Several different types of arthritis (Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis and Psoriatic arthritis)

  • Traumatic injury

  • Pregnancy

  • Infection

  

Treatments

Once officially diagnosed, there are several treatments and therapies that your interventional pain physician may recommend to treat Sacroiliitis.

  • Physical therapy

  • Pain medication (NSAID’s or muscle relaxant)

  • Steroid injections

  • Radiofrequency ablation

  • Pain psychology

  • Ice and heat

As with any chronic or acute pain condition, it is important to remember that most treatments take time to make a significant difference in your pain levels. Be sure to find a physician you trust and be patient with the process.

  

Complications

Without treatment, Sacroiliitis can lead to long term effects. These effects include decreased mobility, insomnia, decreased muscle mass, chronic hip and back pain and depression. However, the good news is that with treatment many patients are able to manage their condition with great success and experience a high quality of life.

 

Back Doctors in Asheville NC

At Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas, we aim to improve your quality of life by listening to you, creating custom treatment plans, and educating you as we learn more about your conditions. We’re invested in your sustained relief from pain.  Our treatment plans are minimally invasive and conservative. We also provide, as a part of our team, psychologists who offer counseling and education to assist you in reaching your goal for an optimal life. Call today to schedule your first appointment!