Description

Sacroiliitis (say-kroe-il-e-I-tis) is a painful condition that affects one or both sacroiliac joints. These joints are felt in the lower part of the spine and the pelvis meet. Arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in the buttocks or the lower part of the back, and the pain might go down one or both legs. Standing or sitting for a long time, or climb stairs, you may make the pain worse.

Arthritis can be difficult to diagnose. It can be confused with other causes of low back pain. It has been linked to a group of diseases that cause inflammatory arthritis of the spine. The treatment may include physical therapy and medications.

Symptoms

The pain of arthritis occurs most frequently in the buttocks and the lower back. It can also affect the legs, the groin and up to the feet. The pain may improve with movement. The following factors can make arthritis pain worse:

  • Sleeping or sitting for a long time.
  • Standing a long time.
  • To have more weight on one leg than the other.
  • Climb stairs.
  • Running.
  • Taking large steps forward.

Causes

Causes of sacroiliac joint problems include:

  • Of the injury. A sudden impact, such as a car accident or a fall, can cause damage to the sacroiliac joints.
  • Arthritis. Wear-and-tear arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, can occur in sacroiliac joints. So can a type of arthritis that affects the spine, known as ankylosing spondylitis.
  • Pregnancy. The sacroiliac joints loosen and stretch for the delivery. The added weight and changed the way of walking during pregnancy, the stress of these joints.
  • Infection. Rarely, a sacroiliac joint can become infected.

Risk factors

Certain conditions may increase the risk of inflammation of the sacroiliac joints.

Other inflammatory forms of arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, can increase the risk of arthritis. Inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, may also increase the risk.

The changes that happen to the body during pregnancy and childbirth may also affect the sacroiliac joints and cause pain and swelling.

Complications

Arthritis can cause difficulty with certain actions, such as bending, lifting, staying in one position and getting up from sitting. The continuous pain of arthritis can lead to depression and loss of sleep.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, a health care provider could pressure in the hips and buttocks, to find the pain. Movement of the legs in different positions gently tensions of the sacroiliac joints.

Imaging tests

An x-ray of the pelvis may show signs of damage to the sacroiliac joint. An mri can show if the damage is the result of ankylosing spondylitis.

Numbing shots

If you put anesthesia in the sacroiliac joint pain stops, it is likely that the problem is in the sacroiliac joint.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the symptoms and the cause of the arthritis. Stretching and strengthening exercises and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers that you can get without a prescription are often the first treatments used.

Medications

Depending on the cause of the pain, these may include:

  • Pain relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics may be obtained without a prescription include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). If these do not provide sufficient relief, a health care provider may prescribe a more powerful pain reliever.
  • Muscle relaxants. Medications such as cyclobenzaprine (Amrix) could help to reduce the muscle spasms that often in conjunction with the arthritis.
  • Biological products.The biological drugs to treat many autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors, including secukinumab (Cosentyx) and ixekizumab (Taltz). The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, which include etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), and golimumab (Simponi). Both types of biological products are used to relieve arthritis.
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Dmards are medications that decrease swelling, known as the inflammation and the pain. Some destination and block an enzyme called Janus kinase (JAK). Inhibitors of JAK include tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and upadacitinib (Rinvoq).

Biological products. The biological drugs to treat many autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors, including secukinumab (Cosentyx) and ixekizumab (Taltz). The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, which include etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), and golimumab (Simponi).

Both types of biological products are used to relieve arthritis.

Therapy

A health care provider, such as a physical therapist, you can teach your range of motion and stretching exercises. These exercises are designed to relieve the pain and keep the low back and hips more flexible. Strengthening exercises help to protect the joints and improve posture.

Surgical and other procedures

If other methods have not alleviated the pain, a health care provider might suggest:

  • Injections into the joint. Corticosteroids can be put into the joint to reduce swelling and pain. You can get just a couple of joint injections a year because steroids can weaken the nearby bones and tendons.
  • Denervation by radiofrequency. The energy of radio frequency can damage or destroy the nerves that cause the pain.
  • The electrical stimulation. The implantation of an electrical stimulator in the lower part of the spine can help reduce pain caused by arthritis.
  • The articulation of the merger. Although surgery is rarely used to treat arthritis, the fusion of the two bones together with the hardware of metal can sometimes relieve the pain of arthritis.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Home treatments for arthritis pain include:

  • Pain relievers that you can get without a prescription. Medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may help relieve the pain of arthritis. Some of these medications can cause stomach upset or kidney or liver problems.
  • Rest. To change or not to change the activities that worsen the pain can help. The use of a good posture is important.
  • The ice and the heat. Switching between ice and heat can help relieve the pain sacroiliac.

Preparing for your appointment

You could start by seeing your primary care provider. You may be referred to a specialist in bones and joints, known as a rheumatologist or an orthopedic surgeon.

What you can do

Have a friend or family member, if possible. Someone that can help you remember the information that is obtained.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began.
  • The key information, including the recent life changes and if any first-degree relative had symptoms similar to yours.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions to ask your care provider.

For arthritis, questions include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best treatment?
  • How can I manage this condition with my other health conditions?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Ask other questions you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions, such as:

  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • Where is the pain? How serious is it?
  • Does anything make the pain better? Is there anything worse?
Symptoms and treatment of Sacroiliitis