All About Sacroiliac Dysfunction

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Sacroiliac dysfunction is a common cause of back pain. In most cases, it can be remedied with the help of conservative treatment. However, surgery may also be required to affect recovery in certain situations. Here's more on the condition.

The sacroiliac joint is located in the lower back- between the spine and hip joint- and usually does not participate in movements or motion. However, a misalignment of the joint could lead to pain or dysfunction of the same.

The pain associated with the condition is usually felt on particular side of the lower back midline. It is not always one sided though, and may also radiate down to the knee and groin. The joint may be easily inflamed as well, leading to pain in the back and buttocks. People affected by this ailment, often find it difficult to find a comfortable position when lying down on the bed. Left untreated, the sacroiliac joint could become arthritic.

Women, who've had children- especially in their 30's or 40's- are particularly susceptible to this condition. This is because of the fact that the sacroiliac joints loosen up during the delivery of a child and does not fully reverse afterwards. Thus, there's a subsequent and minor trauma to the area- often leading to dislocation of the same. The end result is severe and persistent back pain.

Younger women are also at risk of suffering from sacroiliac dysfunction. Rough sports or injuries make them particularly vulnerable to it. Men may also suffer from the condition- but with less frequency. In their case, the problem is usually triggered by a severe injury- usually as a result of lifting heavy objects while the trunk is in torsion.

Diagnosing sacroiliac dysfunction is a difficult process and must be done through clinical examination for an accurate result. The associated symptoms are also similar to those of other back problems such as disk herniation or radiculopathy; making it even more difficult to distinguish between them. A doctor is therefore, required to specifically check for the condition to find it.

Most physicians try to move the joint to diagnose the condition. A sacroiliac joint injection may also be used to evaluate the same. If diagnosed early, the majority of patients suffering from the ailment are likely to recover with the help of conservative treatment methods. Common therapies include manipulation, physical therapy and anesthetic and steroidal injections. Those who do not respond to these remedies may eventually be asked to try minimally invasive surgery for pain relief.

Strategic body assessments may also be performed to indentify individual muscle imbalances. With the help of the results, a targeted corrective program can be designed to restore health and balance to the joint.