Sacroiliac Injection

[PERSonalTime]

Has anyone ever had a steroid injection in their sacroiliac joint? If so, what was the process, and how long did it take to get pain relief?

 

[jcretire77]

I have not, but do have constant issue with my SIJ. I've done a lot of PT trying to strengthen the muscles involved, but it does not take much for it to slip and be down for the count. I use a chiropractor to put things back into place. What have you been doing to try to help your situation?

 

[Rushmore]

I get my si joint injected about every 9/12 monthes. Not really a big deal at all. It’s guided under X-ray. Takes just a couple of minutes. Feels like pressure in the area to me, but I have a pretty high pain threshold, not because I want to, but because I have to, lol.

Afterwards I try to not do much for the rest of the day and keep putting ice on it. There isn’t really a joint per se to inject into, which is why they do it unde X-ray. You want the cortisone to stay there not move to the rest of the body, hence the inactivity and ice. I find it improving pretty much right away(might be inactivity and ice though). Can take up to a week to improve and I usually see that gradual improvement.

Once in a while it doesn’t stay there long enough and I end up getting one say in 2-3 monthes. It helps a lot of me

I also find using a cane helps if I need to walk a lot. Never had really any help from pt

 

[MRG]

I get steroid injections in my cspine. For that, you go into a room a while later a doctor and assistant come in in lead lined suits. Process is quick, easy, and painless. I have had some relief as the injection happened, I'm told that is unusual. Good luck and best wishes.

 

[MaxFIRE]

Has anyone ever had a steroid injection in their sacroiliac joint? If so, what was the process, and how long did it take to get pain relief?

Thank you for posing this question, it never ceases to amaze me the variety of topics one can learn about here! I've mostly been a lurker on this site but your thread prompted me to research this condition, and after doing so, I discovered my symptoms check all the boxes.

I've had lower back pain for many years attributed to my sciatic, but over the last couple years something more serious has developed that affects my entire lower back and both hips. Last spring, images revealed mild osteoarthritis in my hip joints and my doctor referred me to physical therapy, which helped somewhat. Chiropractic care has helped with other problems over the years, but that also is not proving to be very effective for this particular issue. I've suspected that there must be something else going on.

Just this week I've been considering another doctor visit in attempt to figure this out, and this thread gives me something to go on. Any advice or other information from you or others would be very welcome.

 

[jcretire77]

Has anyone ever had a steroid injection in their sacroiliac joint? If so, what was the process, and how long did it take to get pain relief?

I was searching the site for cortisone and found this thread from last year again. Did you have the steroid injection in your SIJ? Did it help? I ask because after an MRI and doctors visits they feel that I have a hypermobile joint. I have an injection referral, but have yet to make the appointment.
Thank you for your input, Jim

 

[zaqxsw]

I've had close to a dozen injections. Some were Epidurals starting in 2013 and later some were trigger point injections every 6 months. Nothing to it except for the following insomnia caused by the steroids. They helped until your spine further deteriorates due to aging and use. Yes, use...

They aren't good for you long term as they further weaken the joint. I had spinal fusion surgery across three vertebrae levels (S1-V4) last February. Nothing to take lightly... I spent 10 years pursuing other treatments. The fusion surgery worked, but tough to come back from at 70!

 

[zaqxsw]

Oh, by the way, all of the injections were in my left SI joint. I actually considered SI joint fusion surgery which was recommended. I'm sure glad I didn't.

After 10 years and half a dozen of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, they really don't know where the pain comes from. Too many nerves and complications in the spine. Let MRI's and X-rays determine an "extreme" problem before having surgery.

And pray. It's not a science.

 

[jcretire77]

Oh, by the way, all of the injections were in my left SI joint. I actually considered SI joint fusion surgery which was recommended. I'm sure glad I didn't.

After 10 years and half a dozen of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, they really don't know where the pain comes from. Too many nerves and complications in the spine. Let MRI's and X-rays determine an "extreme" problem before having surgery.

And pray. It's not a science.

Thanks for your reply. The spine doctor (PA) had suggested deep tissue manual PT in addition to the referral for the injection. I've been to the massage twice now. While incredibly painful and I hate to jinx myself, but I think it is helping. I have ten more sessions and will then decide about the injection.

 

[zaqxsw]

I wish you the best of luck! Thoroughly pursue all of your options.

This has been my journey for over a decade. I've seen 5 Neurosurgeons / Orthopedic Surgeons, have had 6 epidurals over 10 years, 11 trigger point injections over 4 years, a year of Pilates/yoga, 6 months of PT, 3 months of acupuncture, 6 months of new age mindfulness, sciatic medications, sciatic exercise classes, 6 months of targeted massages, and 8 years of mild Hydrocodone medication which I quit in April of 2021.

And I worked out through all of this 3-4 times a week. Unrelated to my spine, I learned you can't keep doing exercise to the extent you used to. Your body can't take it.

 

[jcretire77]

I wish you the best of luck! Thoroughly pursue all of your options.

This has been my journey for over a decade. I've seen 5 Neurosurgeons / Orthopedic Surgeons, have had 6 epidurals over 10 years, 11 trigger point injections over 4 years, a year of Pilates/yoga, 6 months of PT, 3 months of acupuncture, 6 months of new age mindfulness, sciatic medications, sciatic exercise classes, 6 months of targeted massages, and 8 years of mild Hydrocodone medication which I quit in April of 2021.

And I worked out through all of this 3-4 times a week. Unrelated to my spine, I learned you can't keep doing exercise to the extent you used to. Your body can't take it.

An unimportant update

The sessions with the deep tissue physical therapists has helped immensely. They really went after the piriformis and glutes. Also one painful moment on the QL, quadratus lumborum (up the spine near the ribcage) and the psoas in front.

They gave me some simple stretches and glute strengthening exercises.

The sensation that the SI is getting caught has gone away. Being 65 I have the typical aches and pains of life, but not feeling the need to go the chiropractor every week is wonderful.

I asked once about wearing the SIJ belt and his response was, Are you a pregnant woman?" Made me laugh. He said it was not helping me a bit.

I plan to go every couple of weeks for a couple more months to at least maintain if not improve even more.

Have a Merry Christmas.