Sacroiliac
joint
The
Sacroiliac
Joints are
located at
the bottom
of the back.
You have one
either side
of the
spine. The
Sacroiliac
joints help
make up the
rear part of
the pelvic
girdle and
sit between
the sacrum
and the ilia.
There are
torsional or
twisting
forces
applied to
the pelvic
girdle when
the lower
limbs are
moved. These
limbs act
like long
levers and
without the
sacroiliac
joints and
the pubic
symphysis
(at the
front of the
pelvis)
which allow
movement,
the pelvis
would very
likely be
subject to a
fracture.
These joints
can often
get stuck or
in some
cases one
half of the
pelvis can
glide
forwards or
backwards,
which is
often
referred to
as a twisted
pelvis. When
this occurs
it often
irritates
the
Iliolumbar
ligament
which
results in
Inflammation.
This is
usually
indicated by
tenderness
around the
bony lumps
which you
can feel if
you place
your thumbs
either side
of your
lower back.
Inflammation
of the
sacroiliac
joints and
associated
ligaments
are very
common,
especially
following
pregnancy
where the
hormone
relaxing is
released and
this results
in the
relaxation
of ligaments
in
preparation
for
childbirth.
In most
cases the
causes of
sacroiliitis
are
mechanical,
however
there may be
other
medical
inflammatory
conditions
present such
as
Ankylosing
Spondylitis
as well as
others which
will need
attention.
Symptoms
include:
§
Pain located
either to
the left or
right of
your lower
back. The
pain can
range from
an ache to a
sharp pain
which can
restrict
movement.
§ The
pain may
radiate out
into your
buttocks and
low back and
will often
radiate to
the front
into the
groin.
Occasionally
it is
responsible
for pain in
the
testicles
among males.
§ Occasionally
there may be
referred
pain into
the lower
limb which
can be
mistaken for
sciatica.
§ Classic
symptoms are
difficulty
turning over
in bed,
struggling
to put on
shoes and
socks and
pain getting
your legs in
and out of
the car.
§ Stiffness
in the lower
back when
getting up
after
sitting for
long periods
and when
getting up
from bed in
the morning.
§ Aching
to one side
of your
lower back
when driving
long
distances.
Specific
assessment
tests:
§
The Stork
test
- to assesss
whether the
sacroiliac
joint is
moving
correctly.
§
Leg length
difference
measurements
- both
straight leg
and bent leg
assessments.
§
Ilia
rotation
- this
assesses
whether the
ilia is
rotated on
one side
creating
imbalance.
How can a
sports
injury
specialist
help
§ Use
diagnostic
tests to
discover the
cause of the
problem.
§ Eliminate
medical
diseases
such as
Ankylosing
Spondylitis.
§ Treat
the cause as
well as the
symptoms.
§ Prescribe
anti-inflammatory
medication
and rest.
§ Use
electrotherapy
equipment to
treat
affected
tissues.
§ If
indicated
and safe to
do, level
the pelvis
via
manipulation.
§ Articulate
sacroiliac
joint
and restore
normal
function.
§ Sports
massage
will help
relieve any
soft tissue
tension in
the area.
§ Use
injection
therapy.
|
SI
- Joint 
