5 Signs Your SI Joint (Not Your Spine) Is Causing Your Back Pain

It’s easy to think of back pain as purely a spinal condition. However, there are two joints where the spine connects with the pelvis, called the sacroiliac (SI) joints, and they are often the source of significant pain. 

Because of the overlap of symptoms, SI pain can be mistaken for other conditions, like disc deterioration, muscle strain, or sciatica. However, treatments for those conditions won’t resolve SI pain. 

Our team at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California, takes your back pain seriously, focusing on the correct diagnosis to ensure the most effective treatment. Visit us whenever you have back pain that persists. 

In today’s blog, we’ll examine five signs that it’s your SI joint that is causing your lower back pain. Here’s what you need to know. 

1. One-sided pain

The SI joints run vertically and are spaced wider than the width of the spine. For that reason, SI pain is typically felt on one side rather than centered along the spine. The pain is usually below the beltline and over the buttocks. There’s often tenderness directly over the affected SI joint. 

2. Transitional pain

When you move in certain ways, there may be uneven loads placed on the SI joint. This can cause pain related to movements that put stress on the affected side. Common movements that trigger SI pain include: 

• Standing up from a seated position
• Getting in or out of a car
• Climbing stairs
• Extended periods of walking
• Turning over in bed
• Weight placed on one leg

SI pain can also worsen after long sessions in a seated position. 

3. Radiating pain

It’s easy to mistake SI joint pain for spinal compression of the sciatic nerves, which are also usually on one side. 

With sciatica, the pain radiates through the groin, buttocks, hip, and thigh. You may have other sensory symptoms, like tingling or numbness. 

One difference between SI pain and sciatica is that the effects of SI usually don’t extend past the knee. 

4. Diagnostic imaging failures

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-rays aren’t effective at pinpointing SI pain. Instead, mild age-related spinal changes may be mistaken for the source of your pain, leading to ineffective treatments. 

SI pain may be diagnosed with a physical exam and tests specific to problems with these joints. We can also confirm the source of your pain by using image-guided SI joint anesthetic injections. 

5. Targeted SI treatment brings relief

Treatment methods designed for SI pain will make a difference. Your treatment might include: 

• Anti-inflammatory drugs and injections
• Physical therapy aimed at stabilizing the pelvis
• Radiofrequency ablation
• SI joint fusion when more conservative methods fail

Lower back pain isn’t always due to conditions impacting the spine. When you detect signs of SI pain, you can significantly reduce the time to an effective diagnosis and treatment. 

Contact Coast Neurosurgical Associates, online or by phone, to enlist expert partnership in treating your neurological conditions. Book your visit today.