Sacroiliac Joint Disorders
Sacroiliac (SI) joint disorders are a challenging condition affecting up to 30 percent of patients with chronic lower back pain. According to published scientific data, it is common for pain from the SI joint to feel like disc or lower back pain. For this reason, SI joint disorders should always be considered in lower back pain diagnosis.
Dr. Ball will consider all the information you provide, including any history of injury, location of your pain, and problems standing or sleeping. As part of your physical exam, he will ask you to stand or move in different directions and point to where you feel pain, and he may feel for tenderness over your SI joint.
A variety of tests performed during the physical examination may help reveal the SI joint as the cause of your symptoms. Sometimes, X-rays, CT-scan, or MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of SI joint-related problems. It is also important to remember that more than one condition (like a disc problem) can coexist with SI joint disorders.
The most relied upon and accurate method to determine whether the SI joint is the cause of your lower back pain symptoms is to inject the SI joint with a local anesthetic. The injection is delivered with either fluoroscopy or CT guidance to verify the accurate placement of the needle in the SI joint. If your symptoms are decreased by at least 50 percent, it is likely that the SI joint is either the source of or a major contributor to your lower back pain. If your symptoms do not improve after SI joint injection, it is less likely that a problem with your SI joint is the cause of your lower back symptoms.
If sacroiliac joint pain is disrupting your life, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hieu T. Ball, a board-certified spine surgeon serving Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. Dr. Ball offers expert evaluations and effective care plans to help you understand and manage sacroiliac joint disorders. Contact us today to get started.
At a Glance
Dr. Hieu Ball
- Double fellowship-trained orthopedic
- Orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard Medical School
- Over 20 years of spine surgery experience
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