Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Ignoring or postponing treatment for back pain can lead to serious consequences. The risks involved with not getting the proper care include reduced mobility, fused bones, build-up of fibrous tissue and even deformity. One cause of persistent lower back pain is sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which mimics many other back conditions. With pain management experts available nearby, you don’t need to wait. The experienced providers at Redefine Healthcare offer safe, effective treatments that always begin with the least invasive procedures. Get the right diagnose and the best treatment in northern New Jersey. Call today for a consultation.

Sacroiliac joints are the two small joints at the base of your spine that connect the pelvis to your hips. The function of these joints is to absorb shock between the upper body and the lower body. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a condition caused by problems with these joints, and it’s often the cause of lower back pain and leg pain.

Whenever there’s either too much movement (called hypermobility) or too little movement (known as hypomobility) in your sacroiliac joints, you may experience pain, instability or stiffness.

 

Whether your issues are caused by the sports you play or due to the way you walk, you’ll find caring and compassionate medical experts at Redefine Healthcare. They can diagnose and treat sacroiliac joint dysfunction or other possible causes of your lower back pain.

Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The symptoms of sacroiliac joint dysfunction often resemble other conditions, which is why you need to get a firm diagnosis from your New Jersey pain relieving doctor. A herniated disc in your lumbar spine, a pinched nerve or arthritis can lead to similar symptoms, such as:

• Lower back pain. The intensity of the pain can range from mild to severe. It may be sharp, stabbing, dull or aching. You may feel it on one or both sides.
• Radiating pain. Pain sometimes radiates from your back to the hip, buttocks or groin. In some cases, it may radiate down your leg, causing sciatica and knee pain.
• Stiffness. The range of motion in your hips and lower back may be reduced, keeping you from the activity that led to the condition.
• Instability. You may feel like your pelvis is going to give way while you’re walking, standing or in the process of sitting down.
• Worsening pain. Activities that put pressure on the sacroiliac joint may increase the pain. These include jogging, running and climbing stairs.

Movements such as bending, twisting or turning over in bed may also increase your pain. You may feel muscle tenderness or tightness in your buttocks or hip area. Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint is called sacroiliitis.

The Cause of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be caused by trauma from a fall, sports injury or car accident. It can also be caused by abnormal movements of the sacroiliac joint, such as hyperextending the joint because of loose ligaments. Degenerative joint diseases such as arthritis can lead to deterioration of the sacroiliac joints.

Pregnancy causes ligaments to stretch in preparation for childbirth. This extra strain on the lower back and pelvis can lead to pain in the sacroiliac joints, and for some women, this continues after pregnancy. Activities that repeatedly stress the joint, such as heavy lifting and contact sports, can increase the risk of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

To diagnose the cause of your pain, your doctor performs a complete physical exam and takes your medical history. He may test the strength and mobility of your joints or apply pressure to specific areas to confirm that the source of your pain is the sacroiliac joint. Specialized tests rule out conditions that have similar symptoms.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction treatment usually begins by resting the joint for one or two days, while applying ice or heat. Over-the-counter pain medications relieve mild to moderate pain. If you’re experiencing severe pain, your doctor may recommend prescription pain medication on a short-term basis. You can get a corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation and pain.

Physical therapy helps restore range of motion, while a waist brace helps you maintain stability if you have loose ligaments.

Last-Resort Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment

While reserved for severe joint dysfunction that doesn’t respond to more conservative treatments, surgery is a last-resort option. A sacroiliac joint fusion requires the implantation of screws or rods. You may need a bone graft along the joint as well. Cutting-edge procedures that are minimally invasive improve the odds for successful pain reduction. Recovery times also are reduced using the latest techniques.

If you’re living with lower back pain or other types of back pain, get expert care as soon as you can. Ignoring joint pain can result in further damage. Redefine Healthcare has convenient locations in Union, Paterson, Edison and Clifton, New Jersey. Contact us today for an accurate diagnosis and treatment of your back pain.