SI JOINT DISEASE

A PAINFUL JOINT

Pain of the SIJ sometimes referred to as “sacralgia” or SI joint dysfunction, can be chronic (long-term) or acute (short term). Current research estimates that sacroiliac joint dysfunction accounts for over 20% of all low back pain patients.

Chronic sacroiliac joint pain is felt as an intense pain in the buttock, sometimes associated with pain over the lateral pelvis, or in the groin. Pain with sitting, often resulting in a peculiar (off-to-the-side) sitting posture is common. This condition often follows lumbar fusion surgery, since restricting the motion to the vertabrae above puts additional strain on the sacroiliac joint. (Katz et. al., 2003)