SI joint pain affects thousands of people across the United States. At The Spine Care Center in Manassas, we know that SI joint dysfunction can cause a number of painful and problematic symptoms, and we want to help you return to pain-free living as quickly as we can. Below, you can find more information about SI joint pain, the symptoms of SI joint dysfunction, and the most common forms of treatment.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatments

Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with The Spine Care Center if you think that you are experiencing any of the signs of SI joint dysfunction.

What Is SI Joint Dysfunction?

Your sacroiliac (SI) joint connects your hip bones to the sacrum (the bone at the bottom of your spine). Your SI joint helps absorb the shock caused by walking, jumping, and running, and it also prevents the shock from negatively affecting your spine.

Your SI joint typically doesn’t move much since it is surrounded by thick, strong ligaments and shock-absorbing cartilage. However, as we age, these ligaments and cartilage get thinner and weaker. In turn, the SI joint gets less support and can become inflamed. Injuries or pregnancy can also affect the SI joint.

SI Joint Dysfunction Symptoms

You may experience symptoms if your SI joint moves too much or doesn’t move enough. SI joint dysfunction can cause symptoms that include:

Pain in the lower back, usually on one side
Pain in your hips or buttocks, usually on one side
Stiffness in your hips
Feeling like your pelvis is too loose or slides out of place during certain movements
It is estimated that the SI joint causes of up to 30 percent of all lower back pain cases.

How SI Joint Dysfunction is Diagnosed

To diagnose SI joint problems, your spine care physician will ask you several questions about your pain. They will also perform a physical examination of the area to evaluate your mobility.
During your exam, they may press on your hips in different ways. These tests can help your doctor determine where your pain is coming from and whether your SI joint is too tight or too loose.
Your doctor may also order imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs. These tests can rule out other common causes of back pain like bulging discs.

How The Spine Care Center Treats SI Joint Dysfunction

The highly skilled and compassionate physicians at The Spine Care Center use safe, nonsurgical treatments to relieve the pain caused by SI joint dysfunction. Our experienced physicians have been repeatedly featured as Top Doctors in both the Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine as a result of providing each and every client with dedicated care.
We use a patient-centered approach to your back pain treatment. We consider your pain level, lifestyle, and health when creating your personalized treatment plan. Your plan may include:

Hot and cold therapy to relieve pain and inflammation
Medicines to reduce inflammation and pain
Physical therapy to relax your ligaments
Steroid injections to relieve pain long-term

We want to help you find relief from back pain so that you can get back to the activities you love. Call The Spine Care Center in Manassas today or request an appointment online to get started.