Over the last 6 months roughly 60% of the United States adult population experienced pain from any cause. Forty percent of those in pain report this pain coming from the low back. The low back is a common area of significant pain that can become a chronic issue. One often-overlooked area of low back pain can originate in a joint called the sacroiliac joint (SIJ). In fact, between 15-30% of all patients who report low back have pain that comes from the SIJ. Why is this joint often overlooked? The SIJ is a complex joint found on the right and left sides of the body just deep to your buttock muscles. It is stabilized with a complex array of ligaments and muscles which themselves may be pain generators. In light of this fact, a specialized approach is needed to correctly identify this oft-overlooked pain source.
At Midwest Interventional Spine Specialists, we are data driven and utilize current research to both diagnose and treat our patients. Research has shown that to diagnose the SIJ a specific combination of physical examination and historical features need to be present. If these findings are positive, we use an array of treatment therapies following our treatment algorithm to provide pain relief and improve quality of life. These interventions include: physical therapy, SIJ steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) injections, and SIJ fusion. We believe the right procedure for the right patient can be life changing.
Sources:
1. “Prevalence of Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain among Adults – United States, 2016.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Sept.
2019, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6736a2.htm.
2. Laslett, Mark et al. “Diagnosis of sacroiliac joint pain: validity of individual provocation tests and
composites of tests.” Manual therapy vol. 10,3 (2005): 207-18. doi:10.1016/j.math.2005.01.003
3. Zheng, Patricia et al. “Image-Guided Sacroiliac Joint Injections: an Evidence-based Review of
Best Practices and Clinical Outcomes.” PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation
vol. 11 Suppl 1 (2019): S98-S104. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12191
4. Roberts, Shannon L et al. “Anatomical Comparison of Radiofrequency Ablation Techniques for
Sacroiliac Joint Pain.” Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) vol. 19,10 (2018): 1924-1943.
doi:10.1093/pm/pnx329
5. Deer, Timothy R et al. “Pain Relief Salvage with a Novel Minimally Invasive Posterior Sacroiliac
Joint Fusion Device in Patients with Previously Implanted Pain Devices and Therapies.” Journal of
pain research vol. 14 2709-2715. 2 Sep. 2021, doi:10.2147/JPR.S325059
Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/back-pain-spine-injury-backache-5248830/
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