The Sacroiliac Joint

Abstract

» The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a common cause of low back pain and should be included in the differential diagnosis.» Nonoperative treatment of sacroiliac pain is always the first line of therapy; however, when it is unsuccessful and becomes chronic, then recurrent nonoperative treatment becomes expensive.» Surgical treatment is cost-effective in appropriately selected patients. High-quality clinical trials have demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvement compared with nonsurgical management in appropriately selected patients.» Spinal fusion to the sacrum increases degeneration of the SIJ and frequency of SIJ pain.