A sacroiliac joint injection (SIJI) is a shot of anti-inflammatory medication and an anesthetic into the joint capsule of the sacroiliac joint (SI) to treat pain in your low back, buttock, or upper leg. The goal of this injection is to improve your spine motion as well as provide pain relief.
The sacroiliac joint contains an abundance of nerves that can become irritated, causing patients to experience intense low back pain. Sacroiliac joint disease is one of the major causes of low back, buttock, groin, and lower extremity pain.
The most common painful condition of the sacroiliac joint is known as sacroiliac joint dysfunction, often caused by direct impact on the buttocks, motor vehicle accidents, or other sports-related injuries. It can also be caused by arthritis, infection, or simply as the result of age-associated degeneration.
The diagnosis of SI joint dysfunction usually occurs after excluding other possibilities. Once that diagnosis process has confirmed that the SI joint is the source of the pain, a therapeutic injection for pain relief can be scheduled.
Procedure
A sacroiliac joint injection involves injecting a steroid into the joint space of the sacroiliac joint in a fluoroscopic-guided procedure, where the irritated nerve roots are located. This injection includes both a long-lasting steroid and a local anesthetic. The steroid reduces the inflammation and irritation, and the anesthetic works to numb nerves in the area.
The combination medicine then spreads throughout the joint and surrounding areas, reducing inflammation and irritation. The entire procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes, about 10 to 30 minutes. Sedation is typically used, and you will be lying down during the procedure.
Pain relief may begin immediately after the medication has been injected. You may experience a brief recurrence of your former pain until the anti-inflammatory medication takes effect. You can apply ice to the injection area to decrease discomfort.