Sacroiliac Joint Injections Specialist in San Francisco, CA
Sacroiliac (SI) joint injections are used to diagnose and treat pain originating from the SI joint by delivering a combination of local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory corticosteroid directly into the joint. This minimally invasive procedure provides significant pain relief, improves mobility, and aids in confirming the SI joint as the pain source.
For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2000 Van Ness Ave, #208 San Francisco, CA 94109.
Sacroiliac joint injections are used to treat a variety of conditions, such as low back pain, sciatica, and hip pain. These injections treat these conditions by delivering medication directly to the sacroiliac joint, providing pain relief by reducing the inflammation in this area. A pain management professional administers sacroiliac joint injections after assessing the patient's pain and other medical issues to decide the best therapy choice. In some circumstances, a sacroiliac joint injection may be combined with other therapies, such as physical therapy.
What is a sacroiliac joint?
The sacroiliac joint is a joint located at the base of the spine in the pelvis. The joint is composed of three bones: the sacrum, the ilium (or the hip bone), and the iliotibial tract (a long, narrow band of connective tissue that runs from the hip to the knee). They are the joints formed where the sacrum bone meets the pelvic bones on either side of the pelvis. The sacrum and pelvic bones are joined together by a tough tissue, which provides a small amount of flexibility and cushioning to reduce the impact of the body moving. Most of the flexibility in the lower back is attributed to the SI joints, which are the biggest in the body. The soft tissues that surround the joint, such as muscles and ligaments, are also known as joint capsules, which are tubes that link two bone surfaces and contain synovial fluid to provide joint lubrication.
What can I expect with a sacroiliac joint injection?
The physician first injects a contrast—a special kind of dye—at the lower back area which helps to outline the joint and can be viewed under a fluoroscope. After identifying the sacroiliac (SI) joint, the physician injects a steroid and a local anesthetic into the joint space. The doctor may need to realign the needle if there is significant resistance to the solution's entry into the space.
What does a sacroiliac joint injection do?
When lower back discomfort arises from the sacroiliac joint—the location where the spine and pelvis meet—an injection into the joint is used to identify and treat the condition. The procedure involves injecting a medicine, typically a steroid and a local anesthetic, directly into the joint for pain relief. The body has two sacroiliac joints, one on each side. In certain situations, both of these joints may have an injection. Some pain in the lower back, buttock, or hip may come from these sacroiliac joints, which can interfere with the ability to perform everyday tasks. A sacroiliac joint injection is an effective diagnostic procedure to determine if lower back pain is originating in the sacroiliac joint. It is also utilized as an excellent pain reliever, reducing discomfort in the affected area.
How long does sacroiliac joint injection last?
The duration of pain relief will vary from person to person and depends on several factors unique to each situation, such as the severity of pain, its underlying cause, individual metabolism, and if other treatments have failed to provide relief. In some cases, a sacroiliac joint injection may last for months; in other cases, it may last only a few weeks or even just a couple of days. Some people receive regular therapeutic SI joint injections over several years; with each injection, the duration of relief may diminish.
Presidio Pain Relief is dedicated to providing you with all of your sacroiliac joint injection needs.
For more information, contact us or book an appointment with the experienced team at Presidio Pain Relief in San Francisco, California. We are conveniently located at 2000 Van Ness Ave, #208 San Francisco, CA 94109. We serve patients from Daly City CA, Sunset District CA, Bernal Heights CA, Bayview CA, Mission District CA, and surrounding areas.