Overview
The sacroiliac joints sit at the base of the spine and play a key role in transferring weight between the upper body and legs. When these joints become irritated or inflamed, pain may be felt in the lower back, buttocks, groin, or pelvic region. Symptoms often worsen with standing, walking, stairs, or prolonged sitting, and may be linked to pregnancy related pelvic changes, degenerative joint changes, or previous injury.
A sacroiliac joint injection delivers medication, typically local anaesthetic with steroid, into or around the joint. The aim is to reduce inflammation and improve comfort. The injection can also help confirm the SI joint as a pain source if symptoms improve after treatment.
Who This Treatment Helps
Sacroiliac joint injections may be suitable for people with:
• Persistent pelvic, buttock, or lower back pain
• Pain worse with standing, walking, or stairs
• Discomfort following pregnancy or pelvic instability
• Pain after trauma or degenerative changes
• Limited improvement from physiotherapy or medication
• Clinical tests suggesting SI joint involvement
A consultation is needed to confirm suitability.
What Is a Sacroiliac Joints Injection
This is a minimally invasive procedure where medication is delivered into or around the SI joint. The injection typically includes:
• Local anaesthetic to provide temporary numbing
• Steroid medication to reduce inflammation
Imaging guidance, usually X ray guidance or ultrasound, is used to improve accuracy and safety. The goal is to reduce inflammation, ease pain, support movement, and guide the overall treatment plan.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Your consultant will confirm the plan and answer questions before treatment. You will lie comfortably on the procedure table. The skin is cleaned and numbed, then a fine needle is guided into position using imaging. Medication is delivered into or around the joint, and you are monitored briefly before going home the same day.
After the Procedure
It is normal to experience mild soreness or bruising at the injection site. Some people notice immediate improvement from the local anaesthetic, while others experience gradual improvement over several days as the steroid takes effect.
Your consultant may advise:
• Avoid strenuous activity for 24 to 48 hours
• Return to normal activity as comfort allows
• Continue physiotherapy to support pelvic stability
• Monitor symptoms and report any concerns
Benefits
• May reduce pelvic, buttock, and lower back pain
• Minimally invasive with short recovery time
• Useful as both a diagnostic and therapeutic treatment
• Can improve mobility and daily function
• May reduce reliance on pain medication
• Complements rehabilitation and pelvic stability work
Possible Risks and Side Effects
Sacroiliac joint injections are generally safe. Potential risks include:
• Temporary increase in pain
• Local bruising or soreness
• Temporary leg numbness in some cases
• Infection rare
• Bleeding
• Allergic reaction to medication uncommon
• Very rarely irritation of nearby nerves
When to Consider Other Options
If pain does not improve or the pattern suggests another pain source, your consultant may discuss alternatives such as caudal epidural, pelvic nerve blocks, radiofrequency treatment in selected cases, or a combined rehabilitation approach.
Safety Note
Please inform your consultant about all medications and medical conditions, including blood thinners, diabetes, allergies, pregnancy, or recent infections. If numbness persists, avoid driving until it fully settles.
Arrange a consultation to discuss whether a sacroiliac joint injection may help your pelvic pain.