Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation And Running

There is no doubt about it, running places a heavy physical demand on your body and can sometimes lead to injury. One uncomfortable injury of the lower back and/or hips is sacroiliac joint inflammation and pain, often called sacroiliac joint dysfunction by health care professionals. Knowledge is power, however, and by learning about your injury, you will have the tools to run without pain.

Sacroiliac Joint Definition

According to eOrthopod in "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction," the vertebral column and the pelvic girdle articulate with each other in the low back at the sacroiliac joint. The a last bone of the back is a triangle-shaped bone called the sacrum. The ilium is a flaring bone that forms the back of the pelvis. In the lowest part of your back, the back's sacrum and the pelvis' ilium meet in a large joint. This joint, states eOrthopod, held in place by a series of ligaments, or stiff, soft tissues, and networked by nerves, experiences small movements in three dimensions.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Definition

P. Gunnar Brolinson, Albert Kozar and Greg Cibor, in "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction in Athletes," state that sacroiliac joint dysfunction has numerous plausible causes because of the complex anatomy and movement that occur at the SI joint. When improper movement occurs along the SI joint, its ligaments can become inflamed. This inflammation may also irritate surrounding nerve tissues. SI joint pain manifests as either dull or sharp pain in one or both sides of the low back and/or hips. If the joint's nerves become involved, pain and numbness may radiate down the legs. Many people with SI joint pain will find sitting painful.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction and Running

According to PhysioAdvisor in "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction" and Howard Dananberg in "Gait Style and its Relevance in the Management of Chronic Low Back Pain," damage to ligaments and/or nerves of the SI joint may occur because of an acute incident in which excess force is placed on the joint, like a fall while running, or because of repetitive strain on those tissues due to causes such as running with poor posture or muscle imbalances in the hips and legs.

Acute Injury Treatment

EOrthopod's "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction" and PhysioAdvisor's "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction" both state that inflammation and pain in the SI joint respond well in the acute injury phase, when the pain is most severe, to rest. Many patients find that avoiding long periods of sitting will help relieve pain as well. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed by a physician. Finally, a medical professional may advise light movements of the low back to prevent stiffness of the SI joint's ligaments, according to "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction" by PhysioAdvisor.

Return to Running

P. Gunnar Brolinson, Albert Kozar and Greg Cibor, in "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction in Athletes," suggest physical therapy exercises as effective means for restoring soft tissue strength and flexibility in the area of the SI joint, as well as in the muscles of the hips and legs. A health care professional can also provide advice on a slow, methodical return to your running training and other life activities so as to prevent injury recurrence.