Sacroiliac Joint Injection for Lower Back Pain Q&A

A sacroiliac joint injection is a medical procedure used to address or manage lower back pain originating from the sacroiliac joint (SI), the connecting point between your spine and pelvis. In this therapeutic or diagnostic procedure, a healthcare provider administers medication directly into the joint to alleviate pain or confirm a diagnosis.
 
This may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pain. When a doctor suspects that the SI joint is the root cause of a patient’s lower back pain, they often conduct a series of diagnostic assessments.
 
If the SI joint is believed to be the source of pain, a diagnostic SI joint injection may be recommended to confirm this diagnosis. In some cases, a numbing agent is injected into the joint to aid in the diagnostic process. The goal of therapeutic SI joint injections is to provide temporary pain relief lasting between weeks and months at a time.

There are two primary types of sacroiliac joint injection, those done for diagnostic purposes and those done for therapeutic purposes. A diagnostic injection entails the injection of numbing medication into the joint. If this alleviates your pain, it is likely that your sacroiliac joint is the origin of your discomfort.
 
On the other hand, a therapeutic SI joint injection includes a combination of local anesthetic and corticosteroid. The local anesthetic aims to provide immediate pain relief, while the corticosteroid, an anti-inflammatory agent, is intended to offer more extended relief by reducing inflammation within the joint.
 
Your healthcare provider may recommend a sacroiliac joint injection for diagnostic or treatment purposes, especially if you are experiencing pain in your lower back, buttock, or hip that may be stemming from these sacroiliac joints.
 
This procedure serves as a valuable diagnostic tool to determine whether your pain is attributable to an issue within the sacroiliac joint. If you experience a significant reduction in SI joint pain following the diagnostic injection, it strongly indicates that the SI joint is the likely source of your discomfort.
 
However, if you do not experience substantial pain relief from the diagnostic injection, your symptoms may be due to other causes that require further evaluation by your doctor.

Individuals dealing with SI joint issues often face restricted mobility and persistent pain, significantly impacting their overall quality of life. SI joint injections serve a dual purpose by aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of SI joint dysfunction.
 
If you are living with lower back pain, these injections can be a critical step in pinpointing the most appropriate treatment and may offer relief from short to long-term discomfort when used therapeutically.
 
An accurate diagnosis is an essential initial step in tailoring a targeted treatment plan designed to alleviate pain.SI joint injections constitute just one facet of a comprehensive treatment strategy that is collaboratively developed with the guidance of pain management specialists at San Antonio Pain Consultants. The objective is to help you find relief from your discomfort and enhance your overall quality of life.

The use of anesthetic and corticosteroid medication plays a pivotal role in delivering relief to the SI joint region. Following the injection, patients can expect the pain relief to extend over several months. The entire procedure typically lasts for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, followed by a brief recovery period.
 
Many patients will experience substantial pain alleviation after just one or two injections. This newfound relief empowers individuals to explore a broader spectrum of treatment alternatives, including physical therapy, and more, as they progress along their path toward a life free from pain.

Sacroiliac joint injections for lower back pain are available at San Antonio Pain Consultants. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 3903 Wiseman Blvd, Ste 117, San Antonio, TX 78251. We serve patients from San Antonio TX, Helotes TX, Alamo Ranch TX, Leon Valley TX, Shavano Park TX, Balcones Heights TX, Fair Oaks TX, Fair Oaks Ranch TX, Castroville TX, and surrounding areas.