Interventional Pain Management

Sacroiliac Joint Injection

Q: How do I know if my pain is from the SI joint?

SI joint pain typically presents as one-sided low back pain often radiating into the buttock or groin, worsened by standing from a seated position or climbing stairs. A positive response to a diagnostic SI joint injection confirms the diagnosis.

Q: Is an SI joint injection covered by insurance?

Yes. SI joint injections are covered by Medicare and most major commercial insurance plans when SI joint dysfunction is documented.

Q: How long does an SI joint injection last?

Most patients experience 3 to 6 months of relief. Lateral branch radiofrequency ablation can provide 12 to 24 months of relief for appropriate patients.

Q: Is the SI joint injection painful?

Local anesthetic is applied before the injection. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Brief soreness at the injection site is normal for a day or two afterward.

Q: Can SI joint pain come back after an injection?

Yes. The injection treats inflammation but does not permanently cure SI joint dysfunction. Repeat injections or radiofrequency ablation can provide ongoing management.

A targeted injection directly into the sacroiliac joint to diagnose and treat SI joint dysfunction, one of the most common and underdiagnosed causes of low back and buttock pain.

What Is Sacroiliac Joint Injection?

A sacroiliac (SI) joint injection delivers a corticosteroid and anesthetic directly into the SI joint, which connects the sacrum (base of the spine) to the iliac bones of the pelvis. SI joint dysfunction is responsible for an estimated 15 to 30 percent of low back pain cases and is frequently mistaken for lumbar disc disease or hip pathology.

How It Works

Using fluoroscopic guidance, the physician guides a needle precisely into the SI joint space and injects a mixture of local anesthetic and corticosteroid. The anesthetic provides immediate diagnostic confirmation and short-term relief, while the steroid reduces joint inflammation for longer-lasting benefit.

Evaluation

Physical examination and provocative tests help identify SI joint pain. Imaging is reviewed.

Positioning

You lie face down. The sacroiliac joint is identified under fluoroscopy.

Needle Placement

The physician guides the needle into the SI joint under real-time X-ray guidance.

Injection

Contrast dye confirms correct placement, then anesthetic and steroid are injected.

Recovery

You rest briefly and track your pain response over the following hours.

Conditions It Treats

SI Joint Pain Back Pain Failed Back Surgery Orthopedic Pain

Why Choose DVPSI?

DVPSI physicians perform SI joint injections under fluoroscopic guidance and have extensive experience differentiating SI joint pain from lumbar and hip pathology. For patients with ongoing SI joint dysfunction, lateral branch radiofrequency ablation is also available.

Fluoroscopic guidance for precise joint entry
Diagnostic and therapeutic in a single procedure
Lateral branch RFA available for longer-lasting relief
Covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions from our patients.

How do I know if my pain is from the SI joint?

Is an SI joint injection covered by insurance?

How long does an SI joint injection last?

Is the SI joint injection painful?

Can SI joint pain come back after an injection?

Take the First Step

Ready to find relief?

Our board-certified specialists are ready to evaluate whether Sacroiliac Joint Injection is right for you. Same-week appointments available.

Book an Appointment Call (215) 489-9170