Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Causes and Treatments

Sacroiliac Joint Pain PTCOA graphic

Every person has two sacroiliac joints (SI joints) that connect the bones of the pelvis to the lower spine and coccyx. These joints serve an important function: they absorb the impact of movement between the upper body and the hips and legs. If the sacroiliac joints are inflamed or damaged, pain can radiate into the buttocks, lower back and legs, causing limited mobility and lower quality of life. 


SI joint dysfunction is responsible for up to 30% of lower back pain1. However, many people with back pain are misdiagnosed and fail to receive effective treatment. 

Symptom of Sacroiliac Joint Pain

How do you know if your sacroiliac joints are causing your pain? 


Here are the main symptoms to look for: 

  • Pain in the lower back
  • Pain in the buttocks, hips, pelvis, and upper thighs
  • Increased pain when standing up after sitting
  • Radiating pain in the legs
  • Weakness in the legs
  • Burning or stinging in the pelvis
  • Stiffness and limited range of motion in the hips, lower back, and groin


You may also experience pain that is similar to pain caused by sciatica, including burning, stinging and stabbing pain that can radiate through the buttocks and backs of the thighs.

Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Pain

The most common causes of pain in the SI joints is inflammation (caused by degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis) and trauma to the joints2. 


SI joint pain can be caused by prior surgery, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, and having an abnormal gait when walking3. Some people experience pain in the SI joints due to general wear and tear associated with aging. 


People who have uneven leg lengths often have a shuffling or uneven gait that causes strain on the SI joints and connecting ligaments. Over time, this can lead to inflammation, discomfort and radiating pain. If you have one leg that is shorter than the other, it’s important to talk to your doctor about correcting your gait so you can avoid future pain in the SI joints.

Diagnosing Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Pain in the buttocks, hips and lower back can have several causes. If your doctor suspects your pain is being caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction, he or she will use a variety of information and tests to make a diagnosis. These include: an overview of your symptoms, physical maneuver testing, x-ray imaging and SI joint injections4. 


X-rays of your pelvis can reveal damage to the sacroiliac joints. An MRI may also be recommended if your doctor is concerned about ankylosing spondylitis. 


Anesthetic SI joint injections are also used to determine the source of hip and pelvic pain. If anesthetic injections into your sacroiliac joint provide relief, your pain is most likely being caused by the sacroiliac joints. 

Pain Management for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

If you suffer from chronic pain caused by the SI joints, you have several options for treatment. 

  • Rest - A rest period of up to 48 hours may be necessary to reduce the strain and inflammation in your sacroiliac joints. 
  • Physical Therapy - Many individuals with sacroiliac joint pain notice improvement in their symptoms with physical therapy. Manual manipulation, ice and heat and certain exercises can help reduce muscle tension and improve range of motion in the SI joint.
  • NSAIDs - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first-line treatment for sacroiliac joint pain that doesn’t get better with rest. These over-the-counter medications help relieve pain by reducing inflammation in the SI joints.
  • Muscle Relaxants - Muscle relaxant medications can help control muscle spasms associated with acute sacroiliac joint pain. 
  • Sacroiliac Joint Injections - If you’ve found pain relief with a diagnostic SI joint injection, your doctor may recommend an injection for longer lasting pain relief. An SI joint injection is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide pain relief for several weeks or even months. 
  • Sacroiliac Joint Fusion - For SI joint pain that is unresponsive to other treatment methods, surgical treatment is a final option. SI joint fusion places implants in the SI joints in the pelvis to help improve stability and increase weight bearing ability. Complications from SI joint fusion are low, and most patients experience clinically significant improvements in pain and disability following the surgery5.

Treatment for Sacroiliac Joint Pain at PTCOA

Pain Treatment Centers of America diagnoses and treats chronic sacroiliac joint pain. Our team of pain treatment specialists can help you find the right treatment options for your chronic pain, including SI joint injections and SI joint fusion. 


Contact us today to schedule your appointment. 

  1.  "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain) - Spine-health." https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sacroiliac-joint-dysfunction/sacroiliac-joint-dysfunction-si-joint-pain. 
  2.  "Possible Causes of Sacroiliitis and SI Joint Pain - Arthritis-health." https://www.arthritis-health.com/types/general/possible-causes-sacroiliitis-and-si-joint-pain. 
  3. "Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf." 9 Jul. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470299/. 
  4.  "Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction in Patients With Low Back Pain." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6707638/.
  5.  "Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion: The Current ... - NCBI." 10 Feb. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7041666/.

When Pain Isn’t Structural: Understanding Neuropathic Pain

June 26, 2026
Pain is often associated with injury, arthritis, or another structural problem in the body. However, not all pain comes from damaged bones, joints, muscles, or tissues. Sometimes, the nervous system itself causes discomfort. This pain is called neuropathic pain and can greatly affect quality of life. At Pain Treatment Centers of America, we help patients determine the source of their symptoms and develop personalized plans to manage chronic nerve pain effectively. What Is Neuropathic Pain? Neuropathic pain happens when nerves are damaged, irritated, or dysfunctional. Unlike pain from injury or inflammation, it results from abnormal signaling within the nervous system. These disrupted signals cause the brain to sense pain even without ongoing tissue damage. Patients commonly describe neuropathic pain as burning, tingling, shooting, electric-like, or stabbing. Some may experience numbness, elevated sensitivity to touch, or pain that seems disproportionate to any physical findings. Common Causes of Neuropathic Pain Neuropathic pain can develop from a variety of conditions that affect the nerves or nervous system. Some common causes include: Diabetes-related nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) Herniated discs are causing nerve compression Shingles and postherpetic neuralgia Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Multiple sclerosis Spinal cord injuries Stroke-related nerve damage Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy Symptoms can vary widely, so proper evaluation is key for accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment. Neuropathic pain is often challenging to identify because imaging exams like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may not always reveal the source of the problem. Patients may experience significant pain despite having slight structural abnormalities. A complete evaluation includes medical history, physical exam, neurological assessment, and diagnostic tests when needed. Identifying nerve involvement is critical because neuropathic pain often responds differently to treatment than musculoskeletal pain. Treatment Options for Neuropathic Pain Successful treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause when possible while reducing symptoms and improving function. Depending on the patient’s condition, treatment options may include: Medication management designed specifically for nerve pain Nerve block injections Physical therapy and rehabilitation Spinal cord stimulation Lifestyle alterations Interventional pain management procedures Many benefit from an approach that combines several therapies for the best outcomes. When to Seek Professional Care Persistent burning, tingling, numbness, or shooting pain should not be ignored. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent worsening symptoms and improve long-term outcomes. If you have ongoing pain not connected to a structural injury, it may be time to explore if neuropathic pain is the cause. An extensive evaluation can determine the source of your symptoms and identify the most effective treatments. Personalized Neuropathic Pain Treatment at Pain Treatment Centers of America At Pain Treatment Centers of America, we understand that chronic pain is complex and every patient’s experience is unique. Our team uses sophisticated diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatments to identify nerve-related pain and create individualized care plans to improve comfort, mobility, and quality of life. If you are experiencing persistent nerve pain symptoms, schedule a consultation with Pain Treatment Centers of America today. Together, we can develop a treatment plan designed to help you regain control of your daily activities and move toward lasting relief.
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