Located on either side of your spine at the very bottom of the back, the sacroiliac joints link to your sacrum (the fused bones at the base of your spine) to your hip bones, forming the rear part of your pelvic girdle. They assist the twisting movements of your legs when you walk or run. Problems arise when they either become “locked”, restricting movement, or too mobile.
Causes for Sacroiliac Strain
Sacroiliac strain is usually the result of a sudden impact, such as a heavy blow or fall, which damages the ligaments supporting the joint. Sudden, unexpected twisting or bending movement, where your muscles are unprepared to take the strain and the pressure is absorbed by the ligaments, can have the same effect. 0
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Sacroiliac Strain
You will feel a sharp pain in the upper inner part of your buttock when you put your foot down, making walking or running very uncomfortable. There will also be dull pain radiating deep into your lower buttock; sometimes you will also experience referred pain in your legs. Movement of your legs may be restricted, which will also make walking difficult. Your specialist may use an MRI scan or X-ray to identify any inflammatory cause of your symptoms. If inflammation is present, you may be given a blood test to check if this is being caused by an infection.
Risks and Recovery
If you sit or lie down for a long time, you may feel stiffness and immobility. Ligaments take longer to heal than fractured bone, and may fail to heal completely. Injections may help with the symptoms.
Sacroiliac Specialist
