What is bilateral sacroiliitis?

Sacroiliitis (say-kroe-il-e-I-tis) is an inflammation of one or both of your sacroiliac joints — situated where your lower spine and pelvis connect. Sacroiliitis can cause pain in your buttocks or lower back, and can extend down one or both legs. Prolonged standing or stair climbing can worsen the pain.

What does sacroiliac pain feel like?

You may experience sacroiliac (SI) joint pain as a sharp, stabbing pain that radiates from your hips and pelvis, up to the lower back, and down to the thighs. Sometimes it may feel numb or tingly, or as if your legs are about to buckle.

What causes bilateral sacroiliitis?

The causes of sacroiliitis include degenerative conditions such as spondyloarthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, osteoarthritis, or viral or bacterial infections. Your pelvis is composed of several different bones and joints. Like all joints, the joints in your pelvis are susceptible to inflammation and wear and tear.

What is the best sleeping position for sacroiliac pain?

How Should I Sleep if I Have SI Joint Pain?

• Lay on your side with the painful side up.
• Bend one of your legs up while sleeping.
• Relax the painful hip backward.
• Sleep with a contoured cervical pillow under your head and a pillow under your upper arm to keep your spine aligned in its natural position.

Is sacroiliitis permanent?

Current Treatment There are a few treatment options for sacroiliitis but none of them are permanent or overwhelmingly successful. Medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers and muscle relaxants are often prescribed to alleviate symptoms. In more severe cases, prescription medications can be used.

How do you treat sacroiliac joint pain at home?

In most cases, it starts with conservative sacroiliac joint home remedies. This includes resting, applying ice or heat, and taking NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Massaging the area is another home remedy that may reduce the pain. Physical therapy can also be helpful.

What kind of pain does the sacroiliac joint cause?

Dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint is thought to cause low back pain and/or leg pain. The leg pain can be particularly difficult and may feel similar to sciatica or pain caused by a lumbar disc herniation. The sacroiliac joint lies next to the bottom of the spine, below the lumbar spine and above the tailbone (coccyx).

How to treat the pain of sacroiliitis at home?

Home treatments for sacroiliitis pain include: 1 Over-the-counter pain relievers… 2 Rest. Modifying or avoiding the activities that worsen your pain might help reduce the inflammation in your sacroiliac joints… 3 Ice and heat. Alternating ice and heat might help relieve sacroiliac pain.

How can a doctor tell if you have sacroiliitis?

During the physical exam, your doctor might try to pinpoint the cause of your pain by pressing on places on your hips and buttocks. He or she might move your legs into different positions to gently stress your sacroiliac joints. An X-ray of your pelvis can reveal signs of damage to the sacroiliac joint.

Can a herniated disc refer to a sacroiliac joint?

This is because it can be challenging to locate the SI joint on a physical exam. Moreover, tenderness over the SI joint is not a slam-dunk test for confirming a diagnosis. This is because other conditions can refer pain to the sacroiliac joint, such as a herniated disc in the lower spine, spinal stenosis, or osteoarthritis or bursitis of the hip.