Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment in NJ

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. Stiffness can reduce the range of motion in your hips and lower back by 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.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can result from a fall, sports injury, or car accident. It can also occur due to abnormal movements of the sacroiliac joint, such as hyperextending 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.

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 maintain stability if you have loose ligaments.

While reserved for severe joint dysfunction that doesn’t respond to 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, such as the LinQ™ SI Joint Stabilization System, which is minimally invasive, improve the odds of 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.