Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injection

A sacroiliac joint injection is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid deposited into the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint is the joint between the lowest part of the spine (sacrum) and the pelvis (iliac bone). Pain in the SI joint is felt in the back, buttock, hip and leg. The goal of a sacroiliac joint injection is to provide pain relief by reducing inflammation due to arthritis of the sacroiliac joint. A sacroiliac joint injection will not cure the pre-existing medical problem (i.e. arthritis, abnormal alignment, etc.) but may improve the level of pain. It is not unusual for someone to need more than one injection to get long term benefit. If the pain is significantly improved, no further injection is needed unless the pain returns.