The SI joint is a diarthrodial joint that plays a part in supporting the upper body and dampens the impact balance between the upper body and lower body.
The ligaments attached to the bones that make up the SI joints play a great role in being the support system of the joint through limiting unnecessary mobility and also provision of strength.
Their functioning is enhanced by musculature such as the glutes especially the gluteus maximus, piriformis muscle, biceps femoris, latissimus dorsi and the erector spinae.
Sources of pain at the SI joint are normally related to the joint movement or no joint movement, concepts brought about by various factors that are either extra-articular or intra – articular.
In regards to the movement concept shared, the pain can occur as a result of too much movement, hypermobility and instability so to speak.
The too little mobility is hypomotility or fixation which results into muscle tension of the adjoining muscles and pain.
So, a number of factors play a part in SI joint pain presentation, the details are laid out in some of the literature shared so will share a few for the sake of articulating this short article.
Arthritis, Trauma, Infection, Ligament injuries and pain of the myofascia, Pregnancy etc.
Other Risk Factors
There are other factors that increase stress to the SI joint and may predispose some patients to joint pain. They are worth ruling out for complete recovery when treatment is initiated.
1.Obesity
2.Spinal deformities
3.Previous spinal surgery.
4.Leg length discrepancy
5.Weak ligaments.
Thoughts Worth Noting When Dealing With Si Joint Pain
Sources of pain at the SI joint is normally related to the joint movement identified from various literature and the best way to deal with SI joint pain management is ”getting the source of the pain rather than chasing the pain.”
Conservative therapy like Physical therapy is always an initial angle of managment for most low back pain presentations unless otherwise.
Most patients with SI joint pain are most likely to report lateral pain rather than central pain.
Provocation tests like the FABER test mentioned by Norman, distraction test, sacral thrust and palpation tests can be employed in the physical examination.
Managment protocols may involve Alternative Treatment and Interventional treatment.
Alternative treatments may include therapies such as Exercise therapy, manual therapy while Interventional treatment may include nerve blocks, Steroid injections and other forms of Injection therapy, Radiofrequeny denervation, Cryo-analgesia, Neuromodulation and Surgical intervention.
The Author is Isaac Gabriel Otuk, the CEO of Fitness Health Nutrition Sports (FHNS) company.
THE FHNS brand provides sports medicine like injury management and REHABILITATION services, injury Prevention programs and performance enhancing services to Athletes from all sports disciplines in Uganda, East Africa and around the world through its Physical and online medical Platforms.
Mail – Isaac.otuk@gmail.com
Phone – +256778092815
Read more of our Healthy Series Here
