A disorder in which something irritates the joint that connects the spine and pelvis is called sacroiliitis. One of the most common causes of this condition is arthritis (especially ankylosing spondylitis). However, this condition is treatable. Physicians usually recommend nonprescription pain relievers and physical therapy.
In other words, this condition occurs when inflammation of the sacroiliac joints occurs. The most common symptom of this disorder is lower back pain, but pain may also appear in the buttock muscles and legs. Furthermore, these joints are the biggest joints in the body, and they are used each time you move or shift the hips.
If you experience lower back pain without obvious reasons, it is advised to see a doctor. However, this symptom may occur due to other health conditions. That’s why it is important to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Generally, it is difficult to estimate how many people have sacroiliitis because there are a lot of diseases that cause lower back pain. In any case, approximately one-quarter of people with low back pain have sacroiliitis, according to some recent studies.
Types
Doctors have divided these conditions into two types depending on how many sacroiliac joints are affected. These include unilateral sacroiliitis (one joint is affected) and bilateral sacroiliitis (two joints are affected at the same time).
Symptoms
While the most common symptom of this disorder is low back pain, people with sacroiliitis may also experience other symptoms. Examples include:
- Worsening of pain when you turn or rotate your hips or sit for a long time
- Suddenly feeling sharp or stabbing
- In some cases, pain may spread from the lower back to the buttocks, hips, or thighs
It is also common to feel stiff, especially after sleeping or sitting for long periods. However, stiffness often lasts at least one hour after sleeping.
Causes
While arthritis is the primary cause of sacroiliitis, other conditions may also cause inflammation of the sacroiliac joints. Check below the most common types of arthritis that often cause sacroiliitis:
- Ankylosing spondylitis – This is a type of arthritis that negatively affects the joints in the spine.
- Psoriatic arthritis – This is a combination of psoriasis and arthritis that often affects the joints.
However, other health conditions may also cause sacroiliitis. Examples include:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Reactive arthritis (also known as Reiter’s syndrome)
- Behcet’s disease
- A rare bacterial infection (Staphylococcus aureus)
In some cases, pregnant women may develop sacroiliitis due to hormonal changes that occur in the body.
What Happens if Sacroiliitis is Left Untreated?
Some people may ignore the symptoms and not get treatment. In such cases, they may experience some complications. Check below some examples:
- Increased stiffness
- Joint instability
- Sleep problems
- Chronic fatigue (extreme tiredness) or pain
- Mental health problems (such as depression)
- Reduced quality of life
- Opioid dependence
- Systemic injuries
This document does not contain a full list of sacroiliitis complications. In any case, you can consult with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk or prevent these complications.
How to Prevent Sacroiliitis?
Generally, there is no sure way to prevent this disorder. However, the following tips may help reduce the risk. Examples include:
- Stop smoking (if you are facing problems with smoking cessation, discuss it with your doctor)
- Low-impact exercise
- Dietary changes
Diagnosis
First, doctors will perform a physical examination to check your back, hips, and legs for symptoms linked to the disease. They may also ask some questions about the medical and family history. Sometimes, physicians may perform some physical movements to check your range of motion and press on the sacroiliac joints or the area around them. If you have a position in which the pain worsens, you should inform your physician. Healthcare providers may also perform some tests to get more clues about the disease. Check below some tests:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
- CT (computed tomography) scans
- Pelvis X-rays
- Blood tests – Doctors usually perform these tests to exclude other conditions that cause inflammation in the body (such as infections)
Treatment
Usually, the main treatment for people with sacroiliitis is physical therapy. During this procedure, a therapist gives you stretches and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the sacroiliac joints. Physicians may also recommend some medicines to reduce pain. For example:
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – These are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that help lessen pain caused by the disease. Doctors often recommend Ibuprofen, Naproxen sodium, or Aspirin. Never take NSAIDs for more than 10 days in a row because it may lead to unpleasant outcomes.
- Muscle relaxers – This group of medicines is used to treat muscle pain. They work by preventing the nerves from sending signals to the brain.
- Corticosteroids – These medicines are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce pain. Usually, doctors recommend an injection in the affected joints for people with sacroiliitis.
In rare cases, physicians may also recommend a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to block the nerves that send pain signals to the brain.
Surgery
Doctors usually recommend this treatment when previous options do not work or you develop a severe form of sacroiliitis. During this procedure, surgeons will fusion the joints with surgical screws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sacroiliitis permanent?
While pregnant women have this condition only during pregnancy, people with inflammatory arthritis develop a permanent form of sacroiliitis. However, most people get better with treatment.
How do you get rid of sacroiliitis?
Generally, the primary treatment for people with sacroiliitis is physical therapy. However, doctors may also recommend OTC pain relievers, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), or surgery (rarely). For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
How long does it take for sacroiliitis to heal?
The recovery time differs among people with this disorder. It depends on overall health, the severity and cause of sacroiliitis, age, and preferences. Usually, people get better within several weeks to a few months. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.
