Sacroiliac Joint Injection for Lower Back Pain Q&A

As with the vast majority of treatments performed to treat chronic pain, SI joint injections can have varying results, but around 90% of patients will be able to experience some degree of pain relief, with many patients experiencing significant long-term pain relief from just one injection. Si joint injections are used both as a means for diagnosing sacroiliitis, as well as a treatment if proven to be effective for an individual. There are many more invasive treatment options that are not often recommended as a first choice for treatment due to associated risks or costs, so if this chronic pain can be sufficiently alleviated with just one regularly administered injection to provide complete functionality back into the patient, it is definitely worth trying out.

While most patients are able to experience pain relief from their SI joint injections for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, the results are not permanent and this timeline can vary quite a bit from patient to patient. If a patient experiences only partial relief from the injections, it may be recommended that more injections are administered in order to provide further pain relief. It is common for patients to receive SI joint injections every 3 to 4 months in order to experience sustained results. Some factors that may influence the longevity of SI joint injections include the severity of the SI joint dysfunction, the degree of inflammation present at the time of injection, if the patient has any other underlying conditions that may influence the efficacy of injectable treatments like this, and the patients’ individual response to the injections.

The injections will likely take a few days before relief from the SI joint pain starts to take effect as it takes that long for the steroid in the injection to start working. Your injection provider will ensure you have all necessary and relevant information regarding a full recovery and to get the most out of your SI injections, but there are some general tips that may prove beneficial. Activities such as exercise and driving should be avoided for at least 24 hours after the injections are administered, but after those 24 hours you are free to continue physical therapy or normal exercises as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. If there is any soreness or pain in the SI joint following the administration before the steroid starts to take effect, a cold compress will provide more relief than heat for a few days after the injection. Sensations of numbness or pain may worsen slightly after the injections before the treatment starts to take effect. All normal medications and eating habits can be continued immediately following the treatment.

SI joint injections have proven to provide temporary pain relief of varying degrees in around 90% of cases, but many of those cases will only experience pain relief for a few months. These injections are not considered a long-term solution, but are worth trying for patients who have chronic SI joint pain or severe back pain that has not been alleviated through more conservation and non-invasive treatments. Multiple injections may be required for some patients to allow them to experience more dramatic results, and the injections can be administered 3 to 4 times annually to provide sustained results. The pain relief that is provided through SI joint injections can be significant and allow patients to live life comfortably once again, but will likely only be considered a temporary fix until either the condition is resolved or there is a longer-term treatment available.

If you are suffering from lower back pain, sacroiliac injections may be the right option for you. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Malabar Palm Bay FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas.