If you’re experiencing pain in your pelvic region and weakness carrying out day-to-day activities like standing up, moving up and down stairs, and lifting, then you may have Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction.
Below we discuss the symptoms and causes of the condition in greater detail and provide more information about how it’s diagnosed and treated.
What is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?
The sacroiliac joints (SIJ) are the two big joints either side of your tailbone. They connect your tailbone to your hip bones.
Their major function is to transfer load from the lower limb through to the spine. When these joints are slightly out of alignment or strained in any way patients will experience movement dysfunction and possibly pain secondary to this.
The malalignment of the pelvis can affect many bodily functions and may even cause a short-term deformity much like scoliosis.
What Causes Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?
The SIJs are held together by a very complex series of ligaments. If anything causes disruption to the ligaments, then malalignment and dysfunction may occur.
Disruption to the ligaments can include:
- Falls
- Sprains
- Hormonal influences particularly in women,
As trained health professionals, we find that women who have had children are more likely to experience this problem for a couple of reasons:
- The SIJ ligaments are particularly vulnerable after giving birth, and
- The trunk muscles (core muscles) work with the ligaments to maintain stability in the region. If the core muscles become weakened (which is common during pregnancy) or poorly coordinated, then this can lead to sacroiliac joint pain as well.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Symptoms
Those with Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction may experience pain and weakness carrying out normal activities, such as going up and down stairs, moving from sitting to standing, and completing bending or lifting movements.
Many patients we see with this condition report pain:
- in the pelvic region at the back,
- into the front of the leg,
- in the groin region, and
- sometimes down the back of the leg via the sciatic nerve.
Patients may also complain of clicking and clunking when they move.
How is SIJ Dysfunction Diagnosed?
There is a series of SIJ tests which can help to diagnose SIJ Dysfunction.
Also, there is a specific pattern of weakness in musculature which characterises this problem and testing of these muscles can reveal the issue.
Unfortunately x-rays/CT scans/MRI scans give little information about SIJ Dysfunction.
Treating Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Before beginning any treatment program, you will need to receive a diagnosis from a qualified health professional, like one of our physiotherapists.
Have you been diagnosed with SIJ Dysfunction? Physiotherapy will be vital during treatment and management of the condition.
Physio for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
A tailored physiotherapy treatment plan for SIJ Dysfunction will strive to realign the pelvis via manual therapy and exercise.
In our experience, many of our patients have been able to experience significant pain relief quite quickly by completing simple procedures and exercises.
Your management of the condition may consist of the following:
- Prescribed exercises to build strength and stability through the pelvis.
- Exercises which encourage normal movement of the SIJs,
- Core strengthening exercises
- Manual therapy is needed to improve the biomechanics of the pelvis
- Massage and local heat/electrotherapy can be useful to reduce associated muscle spasm in the region.
- Dry needling can be very effective in reducing overactive/tight musculature.
During appointments with our qualified physiotherapists, patients will also be advised about correct lifting/handling techniques and postural control into the future.
In the long term, exercises like Pilates and gymnasium exercise can be very effective to help prevent recurrence.
NB: It is important that patients with SIJ Dysfunction remain active throughout the treatment phase. However, they should avoid any heavy lifting or sustained postures such as prolonged sitting, so they don’t aggravate the condition.
Inline Physio has trained physiotherapists in Ashgrove, Moorooka, and Samford. If you suspect you may have SIJ Dysfunction please click here to make an appointment.