A Common Cause of Low Back Pain

In many cases of back pain we see and treat the cause is not the back or spine at all but instead is from a joint or joints in the pelvis-the Sacro-Iliac Joint (SIJ).

Patients have often suffered prolonged pain and may have been incorrectly diagnosed along the way with sciatica, a disc problem or told it is muscle spasm. They are then given the wrong advice regarding exercises etc. which often aggravates the problem further.

Symptoms may start gradually with no known cause or there be a sudden onset associated with pregnancy, a poor sitting position or a fall-especially if there has been a sudden force through the hip or bottom.

All these are common causes of SIJ problems.

Sacroiliac joint of the male pelvis

The Sacro- iliac joints are located between the sacrum, the wedge-shaped bone at the base of the spine and the two pelvic bones (ilium).

One of the joints may become disrupted or strained causing inflammation and subsequent pain. Muscles around the joint may spasm, become weak or develop painful knots or trigger points.The joint surfaces are rough and interlock together for stability but they can move. This is especially the case in late stage pregnancy when hormones helps ‘soften’ the ligaments to allow the baby to pass through the pelvis more easily.

As the pelvis it is the centre of the body and all forces through the leg and hip come through to the spine through the SIJ even slight changes can cause severe pain and weakness in the low back, groin and hip and even refer as far as the foot or shoulder.

Diagnosis with x-ray or even MRI can be difficult as unless there is severe degeneration or fusing of the joint it usually appears normal.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Animation – Everything You Need To Know – Dr. Nabil Ebraheim, M.D.