Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a common, yet frequently overlooked, source of lower back, buttock, and hip pain. The SI joints sit where your spine meets your pelvis and act as shock absorbers for everyday movement. When these joints become inflamed, irritated, or unstable, pain can radiate into the groin or down the leg and may feel similar to sciatica. At Silver Pain Centre, we provide OHIP-covered consultations and specialized, image-guided treatments to reduce inflammation, confirm the pain source, and help you return to comfortable movement.
What is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?
Sacroiliac joint pain refers to discomfort originating from one or both SI joints, located on either side of the lower spine where it connects to the pelvis. Because the SI joint shares nerve pathways with the low back and hip, SI pain is often mistaken for lumbar disc issues, hip arthritis, or sciatica. Accurate diagnosis is key.
Common symptoms include:
Pain in the lower back on one side (often just below the belt line).
Pain in the lower back on one side (often just below the belt line).
Pain that worsens with standing, walking, stairs, or rolling in bed.
Pain when transitioning from sitting to standing.
Tenderness over the SI joint area and a feeling of instability in the pelvis.
Why Does Sacroiliac Joint Pain Occur?
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain can develop from inflammation, joint degeneration, injury, or changes in pelvic alignment and stability. Common causes include:
- Inflammation (Sacroiliitis): Irritation of the SI joint lining, sometimes related to arthritis or inflammatory conditions.
- Joint Dysfunction / Misalignment: Abnormal movement or positioning of the SI joint leading to muscle spasm and pain.
- Degenerative Changes: Wear-and-tear of the joint surfaces over time, often alongside other back issues.
- Pregnancy & Postpartum Changes: Hormonal and biomechanical changes can increase SI joint stress and instability.
- Trauma or Falls: Direct impact to the pelvis or a twisting injury can trigger SI pain.
- Post-Surgical or Adjacent Segment Stress: Changes in mechanics after spine or hip procedures can overload the SI joint.
- Leg-Length Differences / Gait Issues: Repeated compensation can strain the pelvis and SI joints.
How We Diagnose & Treat at Silver Pain Centre
SI joint pain requires careful assessment because it often mimics other back and hip conditions. Our specialists use a structured, evidence-informed approach to confirm the diagnosis and identify the best treatment plan.
Your personalized treatment plan may include:
Clinical Assessment & Provocative Testing: Targeted exam maneuvers that help differentiate SI joint pain from spine or hip sources.
Imaging Review: We review prior imaging where appropriate to rule out other causes and guide interventional care.
Diagnostic SI Joint Injection: A precise, image-guided injection used to confirm the SI joint as the pain generator.
Therapeutic SI Joint Injections: Image-guided anti-inflammatory injections to reduce pain and improve function.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Using thermal energy to interrupt pain signals from specific nerves supplying the SI region when injections provide temporary relief.
Medication Optimization: Tailored prescriptions to reduce inflammation and calm pain sensitization when appropriate.
Rehabilitation Guidance / Stability Support: Recommendations that focus on restoring pelvic stability and reducing flare-ups (often alongside physiotherapy when indicated).
When to Seek Help & How We Can Support You
If SI joint pain is causing you to compensate in how you stand or walk, it can contribute to secondary pain in the hips, knees, and lower back. Don’t wait for intermittent flare-ups to become a long-term limitation.
At Silver Pain Centre, we provide comprehensive, OHIP-covered consultations designed to help you find lasting relief. Here’s how we make a difference:
Collaborative Care
Fast Access
Advanced Diagnostics
Our North York facility using on-site imaging to pinpoint the source of pain.
Non-Surgical Options
Targeted, minimally invasive procedures to restore function and mobility.
Interventional pain procedures performed to date
Years of specialized pain management experience
%
Patient-reported satisfaction based on post-visit surveys
Image-guided injections performed monthly
Explore Our Full Range of Pain Management Solutions
Learn about our pain management treatments and explore the options available at Silver Pain Centre.
Book a Consultation for Sacroiliac Joint Pain
You don’t have to manage SI joint pain alone. The team at Silver Pain Centre provides OHIP-covered consultations to help identify the source of your discomfort and provide a roadmap to recovery. Whether you prefer an in-person visit or a virtual appointment, we will review your self-referral within 72 hours to help you reclaim your quality of life.
Complete Your Self-Referral
Physician Referral Form