Sacroiliac Joint Blocks

Joint pain can be fatiguing and prevent you from performing normal activities. Injuries, trauma, and degenerative diseases can be the cause of joint pain. When you are suffering from joint pain, you may require therapy, pain medication, or surgical methods to overcome the discomfort and remedy the issue. When diagnosed with sacroiliac joint pain, this means that the joints around your pelvis region are likely inflicted with sacroiliitis. This can be debilitating and reduce your quality of life. Sacroiliac joint blocks can be used to reduce the pain while you manage back and hip pain. You can find out from a reliable and experienced doctor whether sacroiliac joint blocks are the right approach for your chronic pain. Call Ceda Orthopedic Group to learn more about this approach.

What Are Sacroiliac Joint Blocks Used For?

When you have a sacroiliac joint disorder, you may notice that you have severe pain when you stand up or perform normal motions in your lower body. Sacroiliitis can occur when you have inflammation in one or both of your sacroiliac joints between where the spine and pelvis connect. The sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum, or the bottom of the spine, to the pelvis region. Arthritis can also negatively impact the sacroiliac joint, making it difficult for you to move around. With a sacroiliac joint block, a corticosteroid or other medicine is injected into the area to reduce inflammation and block pain from reaching the brain. Here are some reasons why a sacroiliac joint block might be a great approach for you.

Lower Back Pain

Sacroiliac joint disorders may be the cause of lower back pain, however, that doesn’t mean that every case of lower back pain is due to this ailment. 

Groin Pain

You may feel pain radiating to your groin area because of sensitive nerves and can happen every time you move. 

Pelvis, Hip, and Buttocks Pain

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be felt in the hip, pelvis, buttocks, and even the legs. This can prevent you from standing, sitting, walking, or running without feeling pain. 

Sacroiliac Joint Pain 

The largest joint in the spine is the sacroiliac joint, which means that when it is injured, there can be instability in the lower back and hip region. This can influence all daily activities. 

Numbness and Weakness 

The areas impacted by the sacroiliac joint dysfunction can begin to feel numb, and the pain can make muscles weaker.

How Can Sacroiliac Joint Blocks Benefit Me?

To help reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain, you can consider sacroiliac joint blocks so that you can regain normal movement. Sacroiliitis can cause soreness and discomfort when standing for a long time or climbing a staircase. Just performing normal functions such as sitting or extending your legs can trigger pain. To regain your full range of motion, you can consider sacroiliac joint blocks.

Before the procedure, the patient must lay flat on an x-ray table while the skin around the iliac region is cleaned. The doctor will place a numbing medicine on the skin called an anesthetic before inserting a small needle into the joint to prevent more pain in an already sore region. During the procedure, a physician will use fluoroscopic guidance or live x-ray on the sacroiliac joint to guide the needle. This allows the doctor to observe the location of the injuries. 

The inserted needle will have medicine, such as lidocaine. This is an anti-inflammatory steroid that functions as anesthesia. It can provide months of pain management and inflammation reduction. The doctor will insert drops of contrast dye so that they can confirm that the medication has properly entered the joint. 

Sacroiliac joint blocks can only be performed minimally throughout the year. It shouldn’t be repeated more than three times a year because the steroid can deteriorate joint integrity when overused. This temporary treatment can provide relief for months without requiring more invasive surgery.

Would I Be A Good Candidate For Sacroiliac Joint Blocks?

Your sacroiliac joints support your weight and balance and are located between the sacrum and the ilium. Without them, you would have increased pressure on your spine, and your ability to absorb shocks and bumps would be drastically reduced. When the sacroiliac joints are not in alignment, the jagged edges can harm nerve endings and send pain signals to your central nervous system. There are many different treatment remedies you may try, but if they do not work you may be a good candidate for sacroiliac joint blocks. Here are some of the approaches that are commonly used for sacroiliac joint disorders:

TNF Inhibitors

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-inhibitors (TNF inhibitors) are useful for improving inflammation of the sacroiliac joint and arthritic disorders. 

Muscle Relaxants

These prescription medicines can include cyclobenzaprine, baclofen, or carisoprodol and are used to help reduce muscle spasms caused by sacroiliac joint inflammation. 

Pain Relievers

Drugs such as Tylenol or ibuprofen are useful when you are trying to reduce pain caused by sacroiliitis.

Physical Therapy

You may want to see a physical therapist or chiropractor to help reduce the tension in your joints and improve your muscle strength.

If none of these methods work for you, it may be time to see a doctor who is experienced in providing sacroiliac joint blocks.

What Should I Do For My Particular Sacroiliac Joint Disorder?

Before you consider this treatment regime, you should speak with a doctor who cares about achieving the best outcome for you. You will need to undergo a consultation and physical to identify the type of joint injuries you have. Not everyone is a good candidate for sacroiliac joint blocks based on their medical history and physical condition. This is why seeking the advice of a knowledgeable doctor can help you before you make a serious decision about your health. Contact Ceda Orthopedic Group today to learn how to get started.