Remedies For Sacroiliitis

Sacroiliitis is an inflammation of the joint where the lower spine and pelvis connect. The inflammation could be on one or both of the joints known as sacroiliac joints. The inflammation can cause pain to the lower back and buttocks. The pain can also extend down one or both legs and can be worsened by climbing stairs and standing for too long. For most individuals with sacroiliac joint pain, injections and physical therapy are enough to ease the pain. However, if these treatments do not resolve the pain in six months, physicians are likely to recommend more intense treatment. Surgery will be recommended for the most extreme cases. Look at some of the specific remedies for sacroiliitis now.

Joint Fusion

Because surgery is taxing on the body, doctors will only recommend this as a last result when most other treatments fail. It can also be recommended if patients have significant hip or groin pain, stiffness, or immobility that makes it impossible for them to perform routine tasks. There are two types of joint fusion surgery: open surgery and a minimally invasive one. For the minimally invasive surgery, a surgeon will make small cuts on the patient's buttocks. Using an x-ray for direction, they will then drill holes in the sacrum and ilium and insert the implant to make the joint more stable. Open surgery, on the other hand, involves a surgeon making a seven to eight-inch-long cut. They will then open up muscle and tissue to access and repair the joint. Minimally invasive surgery has shorter recovery periods and less pain after the procedure as compared to open surgery.

Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation can be recommended as part of physical therapy. The procedure is used to ease pain and discomfort by helping muscles learn to contract. Enhancing muscle contractions not only relieves pain but also increases strength, functioning, and helps manage inflammation. During this treatment, electrodes are hooked onto an electric machine and placed around the sacroiliac joint. These electrodes can be placed on the muscle, skin, or implanted. The therapist will place the electrodes depending on how deep they want the currents to go.

Similarly, the way the muscle changes shape during treatment is also a determining factor of how the electrode placement is done. The sessions will typically last for ten to fifteen minutes, and patients should feel a mildly prickly sensation. If patients experience an overly intense feeling, they should alert their therapist. Electrical stimulation is recommended for mild to moderate back pain. The therapist will couple it with physical exercises patients can do at home.