Sacroiliac Joint InjectionsWhat is the sacroiliac joint? The sacroiliac joint is a small joint in
the region of the low back and buttocks where the pelvis actually
joins with the spine. If the joints become painful they may
cause pain in the low back, buttocks, abdomen, groin and legs.
Why are sacroiliac joint injections helpful? A sacroiliac joint injection serves several
purposes. First, by placing numbing medicine into the joint,
the amount of immediate pain relief experienced will help confirm
or deny the joint as a source of pain.
What happened during the procedure? An IV will be started so that relaxation
medication can be given. The patient is placed on the x-ray
table on their stomach in such a way that the physician can
best visualize these joints in the back using x-ray guidance
in the operating room.
This skin on the low back is cleaned with
alcohol or a scrubbing solution. Following this, the physician
numbs a small area of skin with numbing medicine. This medicine
stings for several seconds.
After the numbing medicine has been given
time to be effective, the physician directs a very small needle,
using x-ray guidance into the joint. A small amount of contrast
(dye) is injected to insure proper needle position inside the
joint space. Then, a small mixture of numbing medicine (anesthetic)
and anti-inflammatory (steroid) is injected. One or both joints
may be injected depending on location of the patients usual
pain.
What happens after the procedure? The patient will be monitored for 15-30 minutes. Instructions The patient can eat a light meal within a few hours before the procedure. If a patient is an insulin dependent diabetic, they must not change their normal eating pattern prior to the procedure. Patients may take their routine medications. (i.e. high blood pressure and diabetic medications). Post-procedure Instructions You were given a number of medications during the procedure. These sometimes include sedatives, narcotics, local anesthetics, steroids, and other medications. Any of these drugs or procedure itself, sometimes can cause side effects, including drowsiness, temporary numbness, weakness and soreness.
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