The sacroiliac joint, also known as the SI joint is located between the sacrum and the pelvic ilium. The sacrum is comprised of fused vertebra and is positioned just above the tailbone. The pelvis serves as the link between the torso and the legs by connecting the backbone to the thigh bones. The sacroiliac joint supports these two bones and the weight of the entire body. There are two sacroiliac joint s on either side of the pelvic area. The purpose of the sacroiliac joint is to allow the torso to turn and twist as we perform physical activity. Whenever your legs move, the SI joint is what assists the rest of the body with twisting and turning freely.
The sacroiliac joint can cause pain if there has been an injury to the joint. Your SI joint injury is usually identified by whether the joint is over or under performing. A SI joint that is more movable or less movable than normal could indicate that there has been an injury that could cause extreme pain. Due to the location of the sacroiliac joint, there are many muscles and ligaments that are in this region. If it is not functioning properly, this can trigger those muscles to react in a negative way and cause pain.
The most common cause of sacroiliac joint pain is trauma. Trauma to the area involves enduring massive force and impact. There are several sources of trauma. Trauma can happen when you fall abruptly, especially when the impact is at the pelvic area. Involvement in a motor vehicle accident could also cause trauma. When you get hit by a car your body experiences impact that is unexpected. If you like to play sports this can cause trauma too. Contact sports that are very forceful and physically involved can spur impact to the sacroiliac joint.
To decipher if you may have pain stemming from the sacroiliac joint you should consider if you are suffering from the following symptoms. If you have difficulty performing everyday tasks that require turning and bending this could be a sign. If moving your legs has become a painful activity this could be the cause. If you feel pain around that area, particularly in your lower back, buttocks, legs and middle back, the SI joint might be the reason. The pain could even radiate toward your pubic area because of the proximity to the SI joint. Pain in the lower back that forces you to alter and limit your moves is a key sign. Since the SI joint is needed for turning and twisting, if movement becomes a problem, this could be the culprit.
To diagnose and treat sacroiliac joint pain you should consult your doctor. If you want to try other methods before visiting your doctor, there are a few that can possibly help. Taking NSAIDs, also known as non-steroidal ant-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen is an option. These drugs are found in popular over the counter medications like Advil. You should more than likely rest the area and stop doing activities that could exacerbate the pain or cause more injury.
