Sacroiliac Joint Injection
Anatomy
The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) with the pelvis (iliac crest). The joint:
- Transmits all the forces of the upper body to the pelvis (hips) and legs
- Acts as a shock-absorbing structure
- Does not have much motion
The sacroiliac joint can become inflamed from an acute injury or from chronic postural abnormalities. Undue stress on the joint following low back fusion surgery can also cause inflammation and pain here. Pain from sacroiliac joint abnormalities occurs in the low back, buttock/hip, abdomen, groin, or legs.
A sacroiliac joint injection serves two purposes. First, injecting anesthetic (numbing) medication into the joint confirms whether or not pain comes from the joint. Second, the local anesthetic and cortisone can help break a pain cycle. Breaking the pain cycle may help facilitate a rehabilitative exercise program.
What will happen to me during the procedure?
An IV will be started so that relaxation medication can be given. You will be taken to a procedure room and positioned lying on your stomach. Monitors will be placed on you to watch your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level.
After your skin is washed with a sterile scrub, the sacroiliac joint will be identified by your physician using fluoroscopy (x-ray). Small marks may be placed on your skin using a sterile pen. The skin is numbed with local anesthetic medication. Your physician will insert a needle into the joint(s) using fluoroscopy to assure proper placement. Local anesthetic and cortisone are then injected into the joint(s).
What will happen after the procedure?
You will be taken to the recovery area and monitored for 30-60 minutes. Discharge instructions will be given to you before leaving the surgical center. You will be asked to keep track of the amount of pain relief, area of pain relief, and duration of pain relief.
Due to the use of relaxation medication, you are required to have a driver to take you home.
Please use the links below to browse procedures:
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
- Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection
- Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
- Lumbar Facet Injection
- Thoracic Facet Injection
- Cervical Facet Injection
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection
- Neurotomy
- Discogram
- Trigger Point Injection
- Botox Injections
- Neurostimulation
- Cervical and Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks
- Nucleoplasty
- Intradiscal Electral Thermo Therapy - IDET
