Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Low Back Pain
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Low back pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek pain management care, but the spine is not always the only source. In some patients, pain may come from the sacroiliac joint, also called the SI joint. This joint sits where the lower spine meets the pelvis and helps transfer weight between the upper body and the legs.
Because of its location, SI joint pain can be difficult to recognize. It may feel like lower back pain, hip pain, buttock pain, or even sciatica. Some patients feel pain on one side. Others feel discomfort across the lower back or deep in the pelvis. The pain may worsen with standing, walking, climbing stairs, rolling over in bed, or getting up from a seated position.
At Ospina Medical, we understand that low back pain can have more than one possible cause. A careful evaluation is the first step toward finding the true pain generator.
What Is the SI Joint?
The sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum, which is the triangular bone at the base of the spine, to the pelvis. These joints are designed to provide both stability and a small amount of movement. They absorb force with walking, standing, bending, lifting, and transitioning between positions.
When the SI joint becomes inflamed, irritated, unstable, or overloaded, it can create pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, groin, or legs. The pain may be sharp, aching, deep, or difficult to pinpoint.
SI joint pain may be related to trauma, arthritis, pregnancy related changes, leg length differences, altered walking mechanics, previous spine surgery, repetitive stress, or weakness in the muscles that support the pelvis and core.
Why SI Joint Pain Can Be Misdiagnosed
SI joint pain can mimic several other conditions. It may look like a lumbar disc problem, hip arthritis, muscle strain, facet joint pain, or sciatic nerve irritation. This overlap is why patients may feel frustrated when treatments for the lower back do not fully address their symptoms.
The location of pain matters, but it is not the only clue. At Ospina Medical, we look at how the pain behaves. Does it worsen with stairs? Does it hurt to stand on one leg? Does rolling in bed trigger pain? Does sitting relieve it or make it worse? Does the pain stay in the buttock, or does it travel down the leg?
These details help guide the exam and determine whether the SI joint may be contributing to the pain pattern.
Common Symptoms of SI Joint Pain
SI joint pain can vary from person to person, but common symptoms may include:
Pain on one side of the lower back
Deep buttock pain
Pain near the hip or pelvis
Pain with standing from a chair
Pain with stairs or hills
Pain when rolling over in bed
Pain after standing or walking for long periods
Pain that feels similar to sciatica
Because these symptoms can overlap with other diagnoses, the goal is not to assume the SI joint is the cause. The goal is to test, examine, and evaluate carefully.
How SI Joint Injections Can Help Diagnose Pain
An image guided SI joint injection can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. During the procedure, medication is placed into or around the sacroiliac joint using imaging guidance. If numbing medication provides meaningful temporary relief, it may help confirm that the SI joint is a major contributor to pain. Steroid medication may also help reduce inflammation in appropriate cases.
This information can be valuable because it helps avoid guessing. Instead of treating low back pain broadly, the care team can better understand whether the SI joint is part of the problem and build a more targeted plan.
Treatment Options for SI Joint Pain
Treatment may begin with conservative care, including physical therapy, strengthening, stretching, activity modification, medication management, and movement retraining. Many patients benefit from improving core, hip, and glute strength because the SI joint depends on surrounding muscles for stability.
When conservative care is not enough, interventional options may be considered. Depending on the patient’s diagnosis and goals, this may include image guided SI joint injections, regenerative medicine options, or other targeted procedures designed to reduce pain and improve function.
At Ospina Medical, treatment is personalized. The right plan depends on the patient’s symptoms, exam findings, imaging, previous treatments, and functional goals.
Why Choose Ospina Medical for SI Joint Pain in NYC
Ospina Medical specializes in interventional spine and joint care, regenerative medicine, and non surgical orthopedic treatment in New York City. Our approach focuses on identifying the exact source of pain and using precise, minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate.
For SI joint pain, this precision is especially important. The SI joint sits close to the lower spine, hip, and pelvic structures, which means the symptoms can be confusing. A detailed evaluation helps determine whether the SI joint is the main pain generator or one part of a larger pain pattern.
If low back pain has not improved with general treatment, or if pain feels like it is coming from the lower back, buttock, hip, or pelvis, the SI joint may deserve closer attention.
At Ospina Medical, our goal is to help patients move beyond uncertainty and toward a treatment plan that is specific, thoughtful, and designed around restoring comfort, mobility, and quality of life.