Chronic SI Joint Pain? Consider Interventional Injections

Is chronic sacroiliac joint pain plaguing you? SI joint pain which radiates through your lower back can make completing your basic daily tasks nearly impossible — not to mention actual work or physical labor. Maybe over-the-counter pain relievers and stretches give you some relief, but the pain is still there, and you're still not able to do the things you love. There is another type of treatment to consider: interventional injections. Here's a closer look at what this treatment entails and how it can help.

What Are Interventional Injections?

Interventional injections are, strictly speaking, any injection that is made into a body part to relieve symptoms in that body part. In this case, the injection would be right into your SI joint. Your doctor would likely use an ultrasound or other imaging device to guide them as they precisely locate the needle before injecting into your joint.

For the treatment of SI pain, the injection could be one of several medications. In some cases, your doctor may want to inject a corticosteroid, which would help alleviate inflammation, thereby also reducing your pain. In other cases, they may want to inject a long-lasting pain reliever, such as a nerve block that prevents you from feeling any pain radiating from the nerves in and around your SI joint. Which route they take will depend on the nature of your SI pain. If it is caused by arthritis, you are likely to be given an anesthetic. If it is caused by ligament damage, you are likely to be given a steroid.

What Does Recovery Involve?

One reason why interventional injections are often recommended for SI pain is that there is little to no recover required. You may feel a little soreness in the skin and muscle around your SI for a day or two, but there is no reason to really rest or cut back on activity because of this. The only real risk associated with the injections is that of infection, and as long as you work with a qualified doctor, even that risk of very low.

How Long Do the Injections Last?

Most patients see results for anywhere between three and six months. When you feel the injections starting to wear off, you can get another one. In some cases, the steroids can help your ligaments actually heal, so your SI pain will grow less over time, and injections will no longer be necessary.

Make sure you speak with your doctor about the different options to treat your sacroiliac joint pain. With the help of medical professionals, like Joel D Stein DO PA or other local injection services, you will be able to find the correct treatment for your pain.