Located in your pelvis, the Sacroiliac Joint links your Iliac Bone (pelvis) to your sacrum (lowest part of your spine, just above your tailbone). Because your Sacroiliac Joints (also known as the SI joints) connects your spine to your pelvis, it is responsible for the transfer of weight and force between your legs and your upper body.
Men and women throughout Southern California experiencing SI Joint Pain typically report pain and discomfort including: pain of the pelvis/buttocks, pain in the hip/groin, low back pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your lower extremities, difficulty sleeping due to pain, and/or feeling of instability in your legs (like they might "give out").
Inflammation of the SI joint is known as Sacroiliitis, and can be caused by age, wear and tear on the joints (arthritis) or can be caused by a more serious inflammatory condition including ankylosing spondylitis. This inflammation can cause significant pain that will not go away without medical treatment.
Pain of the Sacroiliac Joint that does not resolve through physical therapy, may be treated with Radiofrequency Ablation. This is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical treatment that works by permanently disrupting the pain signs your brain receives. It does this by heating the nerve tissue to the point of destroying it. During this procedure, an electrical current produced by a radio wave will target the appropriate area. Though SI Joint Radiofrequency Ablation is not successful for all men and women suffering from pain, it has proven effective for many.
If you have not had relief from pain caused by irritation or inflammation of the SI joint, Radiofrequency Ablation may be an option suggested by Los Angeles Pain Management Specialist, Dr. Ryan Peterson. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Peterson in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and throughout SoCal, please call 818-501-2001.