Sacroiliac Joint Injection

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Sacroiliac Joint Injection

Sacroiliac Joint Injection

Definition

A sacroiliac joint injection is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat chronic low back pain caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Over time, irregular movements of the sacroiliac joint can lead to lower back and leg pain from spinal deterioration. Interestingly enough, sacroiliac joint dysfunction can mimic other degenerative conditions such as spinal disc herniations and radiculopathy. Therefore, it’s imperative physicians administer a thorough physical examination to rule out common spinal conditions before coming to a diagnosis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This injection procedure may be recommended as a supplemental treatment option for patients who have not experienced significant pain relief from conservative and alternative therapies. In contrast, a sacroiliac joint injection may be used in conjunction with conservative treatments such as ice, heat, rest, physical therapy, bracing, and pain medications to reduce pain and restore normal function in the joint.

Procedure

During the procedure, the patient lies on his or her stomach while the physician sanitizes and numbs the skin above the affected sacroiliac joints. Once the local anesthetic has taken effect, the physician uses x-ray guidance to inject a contrast dye into the areas causing pain. This step in the process helps physicians deliver the medication into the correct locations. Using fluoroscopy dye and an X-ray device, the physician inserts a needle into the damaged sacroiliac joints to dispense the medication. If the patient experiences immediately pain relief after the injection, the physician can conclude that the correct sacroiliac joints have been treated. After the injections, the treatment sites are bandaged, and the patient is sent to a separate room to recover.

After Care

Compared to conservative therapies, the anti-inflammatory steroid medication from the sacroiliac joint injection may relieve pain for a longer period of time. Most patients experience several weeks or months of pain relief, allowing them to pursue physical therapy and other pain treatments. After the injection, a Tulsa Pain physician may recommend complementary remedies to ensure the success of the sacroiliac joint injection. Patients should contact their Tulsa Pain physician immediately if they develop any signs of a fever, infection, swelling, redness, or increased pain around the injection site.

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