What is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?
The sacroiliac (SI) joint sits at the base of your spine, where the sacrum meets the ilium of the pelvis. Unlike most joints, it doesn’t move much—its primary role is to act as a shock absorber for transmitting forces between the upper body and legs. When the joint or its supporting ligaments become mis-aligned, over-stretched or dysfunctional, you may develop what is known as sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Proback Advanced Back Care
Causes of SI Joint Dysfunction
There are several possible contributors:
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Misalignment in the lower back (lumbar spine) or pelvis. Proback Advanced Back Care+1
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Overuse of the joint (repetitive load or prolonged standing) Proback Advanced Back Care
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Ligament stretching or damage (for example after an injury, fall, or childbirth) Proback Advanced Back Care
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Leg-length discrepancies or imbalance in gait mechanics. Proback Advanced Back Care
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Dysfunction in adjacent joints (ankle, knee, hip) which alters mechanics and places extra stress on the SI joint. Proback Advanced Back Care
Symptoms to Recognise
Because SI joint dysfunction frequently mimics other conditions (such as a herniated disc or sciatica), accurate diagnosis is crucial. Common symptoms include:
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Pain or ache in the buttock, hip, or groin area, which may radiate to the thigh. Proback Advanced Back Care
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Feeling of instability in the pelvis or lower back, especially when standing or walking. Proback Advanced Back Care
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Stiffness on rising from a seated position, or after prolonged sitting/standing. Proback Advanced Back Care
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Unlike many nerve-root problems, SI dysfunction often causes pain without prominent tingling or muscle weakness. Proback Advanced Back Care
How It’s Diagnosed
Diagnosis involves a thorough consultation: medical history, posture and movement assessment, provocation tests of the SI joint, and often imaging to exclude other causes. It’s important to determine whether the pain is due to the joint itself or whether it’s secondary to dysfunction elsewhere (e.g., lumbar spine, hip). Proback Advanced Back Care
