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Sacroiliac Joint Injection

An SI joint injection involves precise placement of corticosteroid and local anesthetic into or around the sacroiliac joint under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance. It serves both as a diagnostic confirmation and therapeutic intervention for SI joint-mediated pain.

What Is It & Who May Benefit?

An SI joint injection involves precise placement of corticosteroid and local anesthetic into or around the sacroiliac joint under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance. It serves both as a diagnostic confirmation and therapeutic intervention for SI joint-mediated pain.

Symptoms

  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction confirmed by clinical tests
  • Low back pain of SI joint origin
  • Post-surgical SI joint pain
  • Post-partum SI joint pain
  • Inflammatory sacroiliitis (diagnostic)

How It's Performed

1

Patient positioned prone

2

Fluoroscopic guidance identifies the lower third of the SI joint

3

Postero-inferior approach to the joint

4

Needle advanced into the joint under live fluoroscopy

5

Contrast confirms intra-articular placement

6

Mixture of corticosteroid and local anesthetic injected

7

Volume typically 1-2 mL total

Risks & Complications

  • Post-procedure pain
  • Infection (<1%)
  • Bleeding
  • Nerve injury (rare)
  • Steroid side effects (rare with single injection)

Benefits

  • Diagnostic confirmation of SI joint as pain source
  • Pain relief enabling rehabilitation
  • Duration of relief can last months
  • Minimally invasive
  • Repeatable

Recovery

Patients may feel increased pain for 24-48 hours. Therapeutic benefit typically begins within 3-5 days. Patients can resume normal activities the next day. Rehabilitation should follow to address underlying biomechanical dysfunction.

Related Conditions

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction refers to pain originating from the sacroiliac joint complex, a common but often underdiagnosed cause of low back and buttock pain. The SI joint transmits forces between the spine and lower extremities and can become painful through inflammatory, degenerative, or traumatic mechanisms.

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Is This Procedure Right for You?

A thorough clinical evaluation is essential to determine whether sacroiliac joint injection is appropriate for your specific condition.

Dr. Shahnawaz F Shah
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or a recommendation for any specific procedure.