Low back painhas many different causes, including issues related to the sacroiliac (SI) joints.
Yoursacroiliac jointsact as shock absorbers, decreasing stress on the pelvis and spine.
And they transfer the load from your upper body to your lower body when you’re standing or walking.
Jo Zixuan Zhou / Verywell
Sometimes the pain is felt in the groin, thigh, below the knee, or in the buttocks.
Depending on the cause, other symptoms may arise.
Causes
The “why” behind SI joint pain commonly stems from repetitive use.
For example, the continued pounding pressure from an exercise like running may be a cause.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing SI joint dysfunction can be particularly tricky.
This is because it can be challenging to locate the SI joint on a physical exam.
Moreover, tenderness over the SI joint is not a slam-dunk test for confirming a diagnosis.
They will ask you several questions related to your pain and devise a treatment plan based on your evaluation.
Lastly, for SI joint pain due to inflammatory arthritis, whole-body therapies may be recommended.
For instance,anti-TNF drugsmay be indicated for ankylosing spondylitis to prevent the disease from getting worse.
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American Physical Therapy Association.Physical therapy guide to sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
