Sacro Iliac Joint Pain

Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction
At the bottom of the back, more precisely at the back of the pelvis, are the SI joints or Sacroiliac joints and there are several dysfunctions that can exist in this area causing pain. The sacroiliac joints sit between the sacrum and the ilia.

What is Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction?
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction is an abnormality in the mechanics of the joint, which puts abnormal pressures on the joint surfaces, ligaments and surrounding muscles, causing pain to the individual. There are many different possible causes of the dysfunction due to the many different twisting forces applied to that area when the lower limbs are moved.

What Causes Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction?
Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction can be caused by suffering a trauma such as a fall or a car crash. However, often it is caused by a mechanical imbalance, or there may be other medical inflammatory conditions present.

An alteration in alignment due to a trauma like someone falling on one buttock or mechanical imbalances like a discrepancy in leg length, can all lead to Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction. The repeated stress on the joint during various activities can lead to pain. Inflammatory disorders also can have an effect, such as Ankylosing Spondylitis.

What are the Symptoms of Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction?
Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction typically causes a dull aching pain at the base of the spine. The pain can vary from an ache to being sharp in nature with certain movements such as bending, lifting or rolling over in bed. Sometimes there is referred pain in the groin, buttock or the back of the thigh, but this referred pain will rarely go below the knee. Occasionally Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction can be responsible for pain in the testicles amongst males.

Physiotherapy Treatment for Sacroiliac joint Dysfunction
It is especially advisable not to do any actions that may exacerbate the pain such as lifting and bending. However, staying as active as possible is important to overall wellbeing
Orthotics can be used if a discrepancy in leg length is the cause of the dysfunction
Use anti-inflammatory medicine (always seek advice from a medical professional)
Hot and cold therapy
Sports massage
Physiotherapy