The sacroiliac joint is in the pelvis. To be more specific, it is the joint between the ilium or the pelvis and the bar at the foot of the spine, a few inches up from the coccyx. Most people do not even know that they have a joint there and, to be frank, it does not move very far either.
Expert opinion differs, but they say that the sacroiliac joint is able to move between 2 and 18 degrees. We have two sacroiliac joints, one for each leg. The sacroiliac joints are for minor adjustments while walking, but are more concerned with shock absorption. The joints are in fact webs of robust ligament.
Normally, these joints are synchronized to move together, but occasionally this does not happen properly due to injury or congenital deformity. Whilst this happens, the patient will feel a fairly mild ache to the affected side and occasionally, but rarely, to both.
Sometimes the pain will radiate from the sacroilium to the buttocks. More hardly ever, the pain will carry on down the thigh and very seldom into the calf. For this reason sacroiliac joint dysfunction is often confused with a herniated vertebra and sciatica, but they are completely different as the sciatic nerve is not concerned with and cannot be trapped by the sacroilium.
Since this assembly of bones, joints and ligaments that we call the pelvis has as some of its functions twisting, turning and absorbing shock, sacroiliac joint dysfunction can cause mobility problems although the pain is not usually as severe as with a herniated vertebra (compacted disc) and trapped sciatic nerve. Pain in this area is usually caused by inflammation and is known as sacroiliitis.
Specialists can tell the difference between a herniated disc and sacroiliitis by carrying out a series of simple checks that involve exercises like lifting your legs and twisting your hips. It is vital to know the exact cause of back pain, in order for doctors to recommend the correct physiotherapy.
However, these tests are well known to be inconclusive, so diagnosis usually relies on a ‘majority decision’. That is, half a dozen checks are carried out and the majority of positives or negatives wins out. Tests might have to be carried out over several days to get a more accurate result.
During the latter stages of pregnancy, female hormones, linked with lactation and pregnancy, are released which permit the ligaments of the two sacroilia to relax and thus expand in order to make giving birth easier. This is why backache frequently gets worse as pregnant women approach their time.
Women who have many children might experience permanent harm to these ligaments which may cause sacroiliitis in older age. This is one of the reasons why sacroiliac joint dysfunction is more common in mothers of big families in their old age.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a range of topics, but is now involved with sciatica pain management. If you would like to know more, please go to our web site at Sore Back Remedies
