Sacroiliac PainSacroiliac pain is a controversial diagnosis which has grown in popularity in the last 2 decades. This condition resembles sciatica in its symptoms, including radiating pain, tingling and numbness in the lower body; however it is a distinctly different disorder.
The sacroiliac joint is one of the strongest in the human body. It must bear the weight of the entire upper body at the junctures of the sacrum and the pelvic ilium. The joint is surrounded by the sacroiliac ligaments which are tough as nails. There are 2 common varieties of sacroiliac symptoms:* Osteoarthritis can cause degenerative changes in the bones, just like anywhere else in the body. This condition is sometimes called sacroiliitis. * Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is often diagnosed when there is a suspected problem with the ligaments which encapsulate the joint. Typically, the ligaments are too loose, which provides abnormal joint movement, although sometimes they can be too tight, causing an overall reduction of movement.
This condition is one of several which are described as
pseudo-sciatica
pain syndromes. The name comes from the fact that although the symptoms may mimic spinally induced
sciatic nerve pain,
the source is not directly related to spinal nerve compression. The other commonly diagnosed variety of pseudo-sciatica is
piriformis syndrome.Sciatica from sacroiliac diagnoses are usually accomplished through the process of elimination, hence their controversial nature. It is very difficult to prove a sciatica joint abnormality exists, but it is virtually impossible to disprove it. If sciatica exists and the doctor can not find a convincing reason for it in the spine (rare), then the diagnostic process will widen and typically focus on the sacroiliac region and the piriformis muscle. Even with these two pseudo-sciatica conditions, the anatomy is so close and symptoms so similar, that they are sometimes almost interchangeable in the diagnostic process… Sacroiliac Pain AdvicePersonally, I share the view of many medical professionals. A good number of doctors see sacroiliac concerns as one of the latest diagnoses which are often made by exclusion and are typically incorrect. Although this is generally where my opinion will part ways with these same doctors, who will likely blame the pain on some spinal scapegoat condition, where my experience has taught me that the ischemic process is far more commonly the actual source of chronic sciatica symptoms.Be very careful carrying around the significant burden of a SI joint diagnosis. A vast number of these instances are incorrectly identified oxygen deprivation pain conditions and should be treated using knowledge therapy. It is no wonder that medical treatment of SI joint issues offers the same poor quality results provided by most back pain therapy options… Sacroiliac Pain to Sciatica 7/6/08 Revised 7/25/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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