The sacroiliac joint, often referred to as the SI joint, connects your pelvis to the lowest part of your spine and transfers forces between the upper and lower body. This joint is surrounded by a network of strong ligaments and soft tissues that can become irritated due to too much or even too little movement due to trauma and other accidents or even pregnancy. This irritation can cause pain leading to pelvic pain or stiffness that may spread to the buttocks, lower back, or even extend down the legs.

The source of the pain can be difficult to diagnose as it is often mistaken for other causes of lower back pain. Sacroiliac joint pain can be diagnosed through a combination of discussing medical history and symptoms, completing a thorough physical examination including specific movement tests, reviewing imaging, and performing diagnostic injections.

Initial treatment for sacroiliac joint pain often includes rest, ice/heat, medications, physical therapy, support braces, manual manipulation such as osteopathic or chiropractic care, and/or joint injections.

Previously, traditional orthopedic care didn’t appreciate that the SI joint has movement, so surgery wasn’t an option. A fusion procedure was developed, and now that is a common recommendation for SI joint pain that does not improve with conservative treatments. This procedure eliminates movement at the joint with implanted screws and bone grafts. Unfortunately, surgery doesn’t always alleviate pain. The resulting restricted movement at the SI joint puts extra stress at the joints above and below the fusion (hips and lumbar spine), which often leads to additional problems at these areas, which could result in further surgery recommendations.

For patients with sacroiliac joint pain, we offer regenerative treatments including PRP and bone marrow stem cells, which can help heal the injured ligaments and soft tissues and reduce pain coming from this joint. We customize concentrations of healing growth factors, proteins, and cells found naturally within your body and inject them into the damaged tissue under image guidance. This stimulates your body’s natural healing response, allowing you to recover naturally without the need for surgery, with minimal downtime, and no concern for future damage to adjacent areas.