Symptoms include:

• Achiness
• Decreased range of motion in lower back and hip area
• Difficulty bending
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Difficulty walking
• Dull pain
• Hip pain
• Hot pain
• Limping
• Lower back pain (on one or both sides)
• Mild to severe pain
• Numbness
• Pain from running
• Pain in buttocks
• Pain in groin
• Sciatic-like pain in thighs
• Sharp pain
• Stabbing pain
• Stiffness
• Tingling
• Weakness

There is not an individual test to diagnose sacroiliac joint pain, but even though it is sometimes difficult to diagnose, a combination of diagnostic tests can accurately diagnose the condition. When diagnosing this condition, it is important to note that sacroiliac joint pain is sometimes confused with leg pain from a herniated disc or back pain caused by that joint arthritis. The diagnostic tests include:

• CAT scan
• Distraction test
• FABER test
• Fluoroscopic guidance
• Medical history review
• MRI
• Nerve block injections
• Palpation tests
• Physical exam
• Review of patient’s sleep, diet, exercise habits
• Sacral thrust test
• Ultrasound guidance
• X-Ray

Common forms include:

• Sacroiliac joint is out of alignment: This results in pain, excessive movement, and possible stretching of the ligaments of the joint.
• Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint: This is often a result of arthritis and can cause pain and stiffness.

Causes & contributing factors may include:

• Activities involving repetitious stress on the joint
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Gait issues (e.g. different leg lengths, scoliosis)
• Gout
• Heavy lifting
• Inflammation
• Injury or damage to the sacroiliac joint
• Pregnancy or recent childbirth
• Previous lower back surgery (hip replacements, bone grafts)
• Prolonged sitting or standing
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Sacroiliac joint pain is sometimes confused with other lower back issues.
• 15 – 30% of chronic lower back pain cases are caused by the sacroiliac joint.
• 4 out of 5 adults in the US will have lower back pain in their lives.