Sacroiliac joint disorder or sacroiliac pain is a swelling of one or more of the SI joint(s) located below the ribcage in the upper spine. Most sacroiliac joint pain occurs in men, while most sacroiliac joints pain caused by SI joint disease happens in women. It is estimated that up to one-third of all Americans suffer from some type of joint pain that is associated with the area below the ribs. Sacroiliac joint pain disorder, also known as SI joint pain syndrome, occurs when the sacrum, hips, ribs, and sacrum muscles become stiff due to the lack of flexibility in these muscles.
What is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?
Sacroiliac pain can be caused by a variety of things such as joint trauma, arthritis, overuse or injury to the joint, an imbalance in the skeletal system, osteoporosis, a herniated disc, and muscle imbalances. Sacroiliac Joint disease causes are generally diagnosed based on a medical history of joint pains, symptoms, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Some of the common sacroiliac joint pain causes include arthritis, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis.
Since the sacrum and hip are important to your physical health, it’s important to keep them in good working order. However, as we age, the body is able to change the way our joints are formed and function, which can result in joint damage and other joint issues. In older adults, joint problems or injury can be caused by a variety of factors, including a herniated disc, overuse of the muscles surrounding the joint, osteoporosis, arthritis, and even obesity.
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage protecting the joint wears away causing swelling and pain. This joint problem is caused by the degenerative nature of the cartilage, which begins to break down. Osteoporosis occurs when the bone begins to harden too much resulting in a bone spur known as an osteophyte. Osteophytes may cause severe joint pain. A herniated disc occurs when there is pressure put on the nerve that runs from the joint to the back, causing extreme pain.
Muscle imbalances occur when the muscles in the joint get spasms, tightness or weakness due to overuse of these muscles. These imbalances can cause pain and discomfort. The most common sacroiliac joint pain causes that are caused by muscle imbalances are arthritis, overuse of the muscles surrounding the joint, tumors, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs. Another common cause of muscle imbalances is osteoporosis.
As mentioned above, most people suffering from pain have difficulty with pain reporting their symptoms accurately due to the fact that their symptoms can mimic those of many other ailments. Many times pain that radiates across the back and neck may signal a serious health condition and you should consult with your primary care provider before seeking treatment for the condition.
Sacroiliac Joint Pain Treatment
When looking for a treatment option for your sacroiliac joint pain, you should discuss your pain and symptoms with your primary care provider. They can determine the best treatment plan that will provide the best results for you. They can also discuss your age, weight, activity level, medications taken, if you are pregnant, if there is a family history of back and neck pain and whether or not surgery is required. A physical examination is also extremely important, as this allows your physician to know the exact location of your joint and its condition.
Surgery Alternatives
Some other alternatives to surgery include chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, homeopathy and other natural therapies. Chiropractic therapy and massage techniques such as traction are using to help relieve pain by using small movements or adjustments to the body which in turn allow the body to release natural substances from the body. Massage therapy is also used to improve the mobility and circulation around the joint by using the hands and feet. This helps to relieve muscle stiffness and provides relief for those suffering from joint pain as well.
If you think you have sacroiliac joint pain, you should contact a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. To learn more about sacroiliac joint pain treatments, call Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas today!
