Who would benefit from this procedure?

Individuals with complaints of lower back pain or hip pain.   The sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis.

How does this procedure work?

This injection can be both diagnostic as well as therapeutic.   This is performed to determine if the source of your pain is secondary to the sacroiliac joint injection.

How is this procedure done?

The patient will be asked to lie on his/her abdomen.  The skin is first cleaned in proper surgical sterile fashion, the needle is than directed under x-ray guidance to its target and medication mixture (local anesthetic with or without steroid) is then injected.

What are the potential risks?

Although this is a very safe procedure, it is not without risk.  Whenever a needle is used there is always the risk of infection and bleeding.

What should I expect after the procedure?

It is normal to experience temporary soreness at the need placement sites. If effective, you should experience pain relief.  Duration of relief is several hours if only a local anesthetic is injected and longer if a steroid added to the injection mixture.