Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain
The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the base of the spine to the pelvis. When an SI joint becomes inflamed or moves abnormally, it can cause pain low in the back, buttock, and hip that is often mistaken for other conditions.
Symptoms
- Pain low in the back and buttock, often on one side
- Pain that spreads to the hip or upper thigh
- Discomfort with prolonged sitting, standing, or stairs
- Pain when moving from sitting to standing
Causes
SI joint pain can follow arthritis, injury, pregnancy-related changes, or altered mechanics after a prior spinal fusion.
How it's diagnosed
Physical exam maneuvers that stress the SI joint help point to the diagnosis, which can be confirmed with an image-guided diagnostic injection.
How we treat it
Treatment includes physical therapy, medication, and image-guided SI joint injections to reduce inflammation; radiofrequency ablation may help when injections give short-lived relief.
When to see a physician
See a physician if buttock or low-back pain persists or limits sitting, standing, or walking.
Common questions
Why is SI joint pain often missed?
Its symptoms overlap with disc and hip problems. An image-guided diagnostic injection helps confirm the SI joint as the true source before treatment.
Can SI joint pain be treated without surgery?
Yes, most patients are managed with therapy, medication, and image-guided injections; surgery is rarely needed.
This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a physician-patient relationship. Your physician will recommend what's right for you.
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