Sacroiliac joint pain
A challenging culprit for low back pain
The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is the largest axial joint in the body. In the U.S., the exact prevalence of SIJ pain—a subtype of lower back pain—is unknown, but it is estimated that patients with SIJ pain could represent up to 15% of all patients seen in outpatient clinics with chronic lower back pain.1
Causes of sacroiliac pain may include arthritis, traumatic injury, pregnancy and postpartum, systemic inflammatory conditions, and infection.2
Symptoms of SIJ dysfunction may include the following:3
- Lower back pain
- Pain that spreads to the hips, buttocks and/or groin
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion in the lower back, hips, pelvis and groin
- Instability in the pelvis and lower back
A difficult-to-diagnose issue
SIJ pain symptoms are also commonly caused by other unrelated issues. This can make accurate diagnosis and management very challenging.4 Furthermore, SIJ pain appears to affect individuals in their mid-life productive years, causing a very high economic burden of disease.1
An appropriate solution
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be appropriate for patients with a positive diagnosis of SIJ pathology4 and may provide significant relief from their symptoms.