What Causes Sacroiliac Joint Pain?

Does your back or butt hurt when you stand up or climb stairs? That pain’s origin could be your sacroiliac joint. Sacroiliac joint pain is one of the causes of chronic lower back pain, and walking, standing, and sitting may worsen the pain.

What is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?

Sacroiliac joint pain is a sharp, stabbing pain originating from your hips, lower back, and pelvis. This pain can move down to the legs, mainly along the back of the thighs, and usually occurs on one side.

The sacroiliac joint is a highly specialized joint located above the tail bone in your lower back. It connects the spine to the pelvis.

The sacroiliac joint absorbs the impact when walking. It also supports the upper body.

 It functions by;

• Acting as a shock absorber by decreasing stress on the spine and the pelvis
• Transferring the load from the upper body to the lower body when standing and walking.

Main Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Pain

The sacroiliac joint has free nerve endings that can cause pain due to the degeneration and stiffness of these joints.

Causes of sacroiliac joint pain can be;

• Arthritic causes
• Non Arthritic causes

Arthritic Causes

Arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects joints. It causes joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness. It can affect any joint in the body, including the sacroiliac joint. Different types of arthritis can cause sacroiliac joint pain. They include;

Degenerative arthritis

It is also known as osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative condition that affects the protective cartilage that cushions the bones’ ends. This cartilage wears down, and it causes the wearing down of joints and bones over time. It can affect the sacroiliac joint, spine, or other joints.

Ankylosing spondylitis

It is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and fusing of bones. It mainly affects the spine affecting its flexibility, and causes one to have a hunched posture. Ankylosing spondylitis affects the sacroiliac joint, but it can also affect other joints.

Gout

It is a common form of arthritis that results from the accumulation of uric acid stones in the joints, causing inflammation,  swelling, and pain. These stones result from high levels of uric acid in the body. Gout mainly affects the big toe, but it can affect other joints like the sacroiliac joint.

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that commonly affects fingers, toes, knees, and ankles but can also affect the sacroiliac joint. Psoriatic arthritis mainly affects people with a skin condition called psoriasis.

Non-Arthritic Causes

Trauma

Trauma from falling and accident can lead to sacroiliac joint pain

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body releases relaxin, a hormone that loosens ligaments. It pulls your pelvis out of alignment and causes stress to the sacroiliac joint.

Final Thought

Lower back pain can originate from many things, including the sacroiliac joint. It’s best to get a diagnosis to know the cause of your chronic lower back pain and the best ways to manage it.

Visit our website to learn more about sacroiliac joint pain. If you suffer from chronic lower back pain, fill out the form below to contact our team to book an appointment.