The following article will tell you all about Sacrioliac (SI) joint dysfunction and what some of the forms of treatment for the same are.
In order to understand how the dysfunction of the Sacrioliac joint comes about, first, there has to be a clear understanding of the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint is found at the base of the spine and connects the pelvis to the base of the spine. When an individual stands erect, a lot of pressure is put on this joint, which can result in the wear and tear of the same, along with leading to inflammation. In the following article, we will try and understand what some of the causes of a Sacroiliac joint dysfunction are and the treatment forms that can be adopted for the same.
Causes
There are several sacroiliac joint pain symptoms that one experiences. Here are some of the reasons that can lead to the dysfunction of these bones. A few are mentioned below.
Osteoarthritis
When the cartilage layer that covers the bones begins to degenerate, the bones have no protective layer to protect them and they start to rub against each other, this is what causes osteoarthritis and leads to the joint dysfunction.
Trauma Injuries
When there is a sudden jolt or movement that affects the joints and then leads to a damage of the ligaments, it can cause a dysfunction of the SI joint.
Pregnancy
There are a lot of hormonal changes that take place in the body during pregnancy and that has an effect on the sacroiliac joint. In addition to that, there is also the added pressure that is put on the joint due to the increased weight. All these factors could lead to a dysfunction.
Others
There are some other reasons that can lead to a SI joint dysfunction as well. Here are some of them.
- One leg is shorter than the other. Thus putting unequal pressure on the joints and bones.
- Certain muscle imbalances.
- Gout, psoriasis and all other forms of arthritis.
- Incorrect placement of the bones while sitting and walking, over a period of time.
Treatment
There are several treatment forms that are used. Here are some of them.
Medication
Medication can be taken in the form of oral medicines or can be injected directly into the body. These medication forms directly deal with the pain. These forms can be taken over a long period of time to deal with pain effectively.
Steroids
Steroids are used when the condition is severe and the pain that it leads to is chronic. Since steroids are strong, these cannot be taken over a long period of time because they’d have a direct effect on the health.
Exercises
Specialized exercises is another very effective treatment that is used. These involve physical therapy, pilates, myofascial or deep tissue therapies, somatic exercises, yoga, physiotherapy, and other similar exercises.
Surgery
Surgery as an option is only used when all other treatment methods fail to bring about any positive results. A surgery would involve correcting the defects that have been brought about due to a joint dysfunction. These involve correcting pelvic imbalances, releasing the opposite sacroiliac joint, releasing the opposite iliacus muscles, and checking for any other specific problem areas surrounding the bones and correcting them.
Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction can be caused by numerous reasons. Though sometimes this form of dysfunction is brought about as a normal aging process, most often it can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making healthy choices in life. This would include having proper and healthy food, exercising regularly, and maintaining one’s posture to make sure that there is no imbalance in the muscles or joints. Following the aforementioned pointers will prevent the onset of the sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
