The sacroiliac joint is part of the lower spine where the bottom of the lumbar spine meets the tailbone. This joint can become damaged due to arthritis, causing sacroiliac joint dysfunction (also known as sacroiliitis). This condition can be extremely painful and also caused poor flexibility, decreased range of motion and stiffness in the lower back. Because surgery is not generally an option for this joint, other non-surgical approaches need to be explored for treatment.
Step 1
Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). NSAIDs will not only reduce the inflammation, but will also relieve the pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. If aspirin and ibuprofen are not sufficient, your doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs, such as naproxen and indomethacin.
Step 2
Receive corticosteroid and anesthetic injections. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be treated by injecting these medications directly into the joint. The corticosteroids (such as prednisone and cortisone) will quickly reduce the inflammation and the anesthetics will help numb the area, reducing the pain.
Step 3
Get disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) injections. DMARDs work to slow the progression of sacroiliac joint arthritis. These medications, which include sulfasalazine and methotrexate, work best when administered early in the course of the disease. This is because they help slow the progression of the arthritis and can limit damage to the joint. These medications are often given along with corticosteroids and anesthetic, because DMARDs can take a long time to have an effect.
Step 4
Receive injections of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. TNF is a powerful chemical that the body produces to cause inflammation. Injecting medications that block this chemical (such as etanercept and infliximab) will reduce inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, causing reduced pain, stiffness, and joint damage. These treatments are expensive, however, and should be used only when other treatments fail.
Step 5
Go to physical therapy. Physical therapy is an important adjunct treatment to go along with any of the above methods of treating sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Physical therapy will work to improve flexibility, range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the sacroiliac joint which will give the joint more stability.
