Most people have heard of the sacroiliac joint, but many don’t know where it is located or what it does. Recent and past studies have identified the sacroiliac joint as a frequent source of low back pain. Pain originating from the sacroiliac can be misdiagnosed as a muscular or disc problem.
The sacroiliac joint is the point where the lower end of the spine called the sacrum meets the pelvis. Everyone has two sacroiliac joints—one on each side. There is normally a small amount of movement in this joint. It is stabilized by strong ligaments and the abdominal muscles. This joint may be injured during a traumatic event such as a hard fall or a car accident. It is also prone to injury during pregnancy when the hormones present in a woman’s body cause the ligaments to become lax and more easily stretched.
A lack of strength in the stomach muscles and being out of shape and overweight can cause stresses on the sacroiliac; and over a period of time, cause chronic pain and a feeling of instability in the pelvic area. When this joint is unstable it can stretch or cause pressure on the sciatic nerve—directly or through resulting tight muscles. This may result in the misdiagnosis of a disc problem. When the sacroiliac is unstable the muscles of the lower back may also be tight and painful leading to a misdiagnosis of a muscular strain.
Before and during the early 1900s, low back pain was commonly attributed to the sacroiliac joint. In the 1920s and 30s, research was published placing blame of low back pain on herniated discs and suggesting that the sacroiliac could not be a common source of back pain. That research became accepted by many physicians and medical professionals. However, recent research has come to the conclusion that the sacroiliac joint is in fact a major source of back pain. Some studies have found that it may account for as much as 50 percent of low back pain. Problems of the sacroiliac are now being diagnosed more commonly.
Sacroiliac problems are commonly treated by Brigham City Community Hospital physicians, physical therapists and chiropractors in this area. Most can be successfully treated with a program of stretching, strengthening and learning correct posture and lifting technique. The exercises involved in treatment may have to be done consistently over a period of weeks to months to correct the problem. Very infrequently surgery is performed to stabilize the sacroiliac joint.