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Sacroiliac Joint Pain Treatment
Also known as: SI joint dysfunction, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, sacroiliitis (when inflammatory)
Sacroiliac joint pain treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, improving joint stability, and restoring comfortable movement.
What is the sacroiliac joint?
The sacroiliac joint (SI joint) is a critical joint in the human body located where the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of your spine, meets the iliac bones of the pelvis. There are two sacroiliac joints, one on each side of the sacrum, forming part of the pelvic girdle. They are supported by strong ligaments and surrounded by muscles, including the gluteus maximus and piriformis, which help stabilise and facilitate limited movement.
Unlike many other joints in the body, the sacroiliac joints allow only minimal motion, typically a few millimetres of movement with a small degree of rotation, primarily serving to transfer weight and absorb shock between the upper body and lower limbs during activities such as walking, running, and lifting. This limited movement is essential for maintaining stability while providing some flexibility to accommodate forces exerted on the pelvis.
Given their location and function, the sacroiliac joints play a vital role in maintaining posture and balance. Because they are supplied by nerves from the lower back and pelvis, problems in these joints can cause pain felt in the lower back, buttocks, or legs.
Why might you get sacroiliac joint pain?
Sacroiliac joint pain can arise from various causes, often due to dysfunction or inflammation. Common causes of sacroiliac joint pain include:
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: This occurs when there is either too much movement (hypermobility) or too little movement (hypomobility) in the joint, leading to joint instability or stiffness, both of which can cause pain.
- Joint inflammation (sacroiliitis): Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint often results from conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthropathies, including psoriatic arthritis. These autoimmune diseases cause joint inflammation and pain.
- Pregnancy: Pregnant women may experience sacroiliac joint pain due to hormonal changes that loosen ligaments, increased weight, and altered posture, which put additional stress on the joint.
- Repetitive strain or injury: Activities that involve repetitive twisting, lifting, or impact can strain the sacroiliac joint, leading to pain. Sports, falls, or motor vehicle accidents are common traumatic causes.
- Degenerative changes: Osteoarthritis or wear and tear of the joint over time can cause pain due to cartilage breakdown and joint inflammation.
- Other factors: Leg length discrepancy, scoliosis, or previous lumbar spine surgery can alter biomechanics and contribute to sacroiliac joint dysfunction and pain.
Understanding the underlying cause of sacroiliac joint pain is essential for effective treatment and pain relief.
What injections are available for sacroiliac joint pain?
Injections are a commonly used treatment option for sacroiliac joint pain, especially when conservative treatments such as physical therapy and medication have not provided sufficient relief. These injections can help reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, and improve joint function.
The main types of injections available for sacroiliac joint pain include:
- Image-guided sacroiliac joint injections: These injections combine a corticosteroid, which reduces inflammation, with a local anaesthetic to provide short-term pain relief and longer-term reduction in inflammation.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections: PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation. This regenerative treatment is gaining interest, although evidence for its effectiveness in chronic sacroiliac joint pain remains limited.
Injections are typically performed by a pain physician or a spinal specialist and may be used both diagnostically and therapeutically to confirm the sacroiliac joint as the source of pain and to provide symptom relief.
Hospital fee guide price: £1,560*
More about pricingBefore the injection
Before receiving a sacroiliac joint injection, you will undergo a thorough physical examination and, where appropriate, imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI to support the diagnosis and rule out other causes of pain. Your consultant will explain the procedure, potential risks, and benefits.
Make sure to inform your doctor about any allergies, medications, or medical conditions, especially blood-clotting disorders or infections, as these may affect the safety of the injection.
On the day of the injection, it is recommended to avoid strenuous activities and to arrange for someone to drive you home if sedation is used during the procedure.
During the injection
During the sacroiliac joint injection, you will be positioned comfortably, often lying face down or on your side. The area around the injection site is cleaned and sterilised to prevent infection.
Using imaging guidance such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound, the physician carefully inserts a needle into or near the sacroiliac joint. A small amount of contrast dye may be injected to confirm correct needle placement.
Once the needle is in place, the corticosteroid and local anaesthetic mixture is injected. The procedure typically takes only a few minutes and may cause mild discomfort or pressure at the injection site.
After the injection
After the injection, you will be monitored for a short period to observe any immediate reactions. Mild soreness or bruising at the injection site is common and can be managed with ice and over-the-counter pain relievers.
It is important to rest and avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 to 48 hours following the injection. You may notice pain relief within a few days, although it can sometimes take up to two weeks for the full effect.
During the follow-up appointments with your consultant, they will assess the injection’s effectiveness and discuss further treatment options, which may include physical therapy, additional injections, or other interventions.
Injections can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan for sacroiliac joint pain, providing significant pain relief and improving quality of life.
Appointment and Treatment Plan
Assessment
Your clinician assesses your symptoms, posture, movement, and pain pattern to determine whether the sacroiliac joint is the likely source of your pain.
Diagnosis
Clinical examination and, where appropriate, imaging such as X-rays or MRI are used to support the diagnosis and exclude other causes of lower back or hip pain.
Conservative care
Initial treatment usually includes physiotherapy, activity modification, and medication to reduce inflammation and improve joint stability.
Image-guided injections
If symptoms persist, image-guided sacroiliac joint injections may be offered to confirm the diagnosis and reduce inflammation and pain.
Further interventions (if required)
For ongoing symptoms, additional treatments such as repeat injections or radiofrequency ablation may be considered.
Recovery and long-term management
Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening, movement control, and lifestyle strategies to reduce recurrence and support long-term joint health.
Experts
We are proud to provide patients with access to a wide range of clinicians, chosen specifically for their knowledge and reputation in their area of expertise. Our experts align with our values: putting you at the centre of your care and educating you on your options at each step of the journey. We encourage you to learn more about our clinicians and how they can help you below. As always, please contact our patient services team if you require any additional information.
We offer 3 ways to pay for your treatment
We exist to take the stress out of private healthcare.
Our payment options are designed to offer you easy access to our treatments and services. You can choose to pay on the day, spread the cost, or use your private medical insurance.
Our patient services team will guide you through the process, providing clear costs and support throughout your course of treatment so you can focus on the thing that matters most – your health.
Whether you pay in advance, spread the cost, or use your private medical insurance, rest assured you will be receiving exceptional care 365 days a year.
Pay in Advance
Even if you do not have medical insurance, you can still get quick and comprehensive access to private medical care.
We provide transparent pricing from your initial consultation to the completion of your treatment so you know where you stand, every step of the way.
We accept all major debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay for UK residents. Please note that we do not accept cash or cheques.
Spread the cost monthly
Paying for your treatment at One Stop Healthcare can be spread monthly from 12 to 60 months, rather than paying in one go.
With an upfront 10% deposit paid, via our Financial partner Chrysalis Finance, we offer various flexible terms to enable you to spread the cost, including 12-months at 0% APR. Click here to find out more.
Monthly payments need to be linked to a One Stop Healthcare treatment over £385 and is subject to a 14-day ‘cooling-off’ period before any treatment can start.
Your on-going payments will be made directly between Chrysalis and yourself. It’s that simple.
Pay using PMI
We are recognised by all major health insurance companies and with our extensive range of services, there are lots of benefits to using your insurance with us. Our patient services team is here to answer any questions you may have about using your private health insurance with us.
Please bring along your policy details including your scheme details, membership or policy number, expiry date and confirmation of eligibility to claim (i.e. your authorisation number). If you do not have these details with you, we will require payment from you on the day. Patients are liable for any amounts not settled by their insurer.
Pricing
Hospital fee guide price: £1,560
Procedure price subject to bespoke quotation.
Additional consultant fee not included.
FAQs
The healing time for a sacroiliac joint injury varies depending on the severity of the injury, the underlying cause, and the treatment approach. Mild cases of sacroiliac joint dysfunction or inflammation may improve within a few weeks with conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, and pain management. However, more severe injuries or chronic sacroiliac joint pain may require several months to heal fully. Consistent adherence to prescribed exercises, lifestyle modifications, and medical interventions can significantly influence recovery time.
When experiencing SI joint pain, it is important to avoid activities that may exacerbate the condition. This includes heavy lifting, high-impact sports, prolonged sitting or standing without breaks, and sudden twisting or bending movements that place stress on the sacroiliac joint. Avoiding poor posture and improper body mechanics during daily activities is also crucial. Patients should refrain from self-medicating with excessive use of pain relievers without medical guidance and should not ignore persistent or severe pain, as this may indicate the need for professional evaluation.
Finding a comfortable sleeping position can help alleviate SI joint pain. Many patients find relief by lying on their back with a pillow placed under the knees to reduce pressure on the lower back and pelvis. Alternatively, lying on the side with a pillow between the knees can help maintain proper spinal alignment and reduce joint strain. When sleeping, avoid twisted positions and overly soft mattresses that allow the pelvis to sink unevenly.
The sacroiliac joint can cause significant pain because it is a weight-bearing joint that transfers forces between the upper body and lower limbs. Dysfunction, inflammation, or injury in this joint can irritate the surrounding ligaments, muscles, and nerves, leading to sharp or aching pain. Additionally, the joint’s proximity to major nerves in the lower back and pelvis can cause referred pain that radiates to the buttocks, thighs, or legs. The joint’s limited mobility means that any abnormal movement or inflammation can result in substantial discomfort.
Effective management of sacroiliac pain typically involves a combination of treatments tailored to the individual’s condition. Conservative approaches include physical therapy focused on strengthening and stretching exercises to stabilise the joint, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation, and applying heat or cold therapy. In some cases, sacroiliac joint injections such as corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be recommended to provide targeted pain relief. For persistent or severe cases, interventional procedures such as radiofrequency ablation may be considered, and in selected situations, patients may be referred for surgical assessment, such as SI joint fusion.
Yes, sacroiliac joint dysfunction or inflammation can cause pain that radiates to the hip area. Due to the joint’s anatomical location near the pelvis and hip bones, irritation or dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint may be perceived as hip pain. This referred pain can sometimes make diagnosis challenging, as it may mimic other hip-related conditions. A thorough physical exam and imaging studies help differentiate sacroiliac joint pain from true hip joint pathology.
The sacroiliac joint is the joint located at the junction where the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine, connects with the iliac bones of the pelvis. It is a strong, weight-bearing joint that plays a critical role in transferring weight from the upper body to the lower limbs and providing stability to the pelvis. Despite its limited range of motion, the sacroiliac joint absorbs shock and allows slight movements necessary for activities such as walking and bending. Dysfunction or inflammation of this joint can lead to lower back pain and related symptoms.