Sacroiliac Joint Injection
A sacroiliac joint injection is a fluoroscopic-guided procedure delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly into the sacroiliac (SI) joint — the joint connecting the base of the spine to the pelvis on each side. This injection is used for both diagnosing and treating SI joint-related low back and pelvic pain.
About the Sacroiliac Joint
The SI joint bears significant mechanical stress as it transfers the weight of the upper body to the pelvis and legs. Degeneration, inflammation, trauma (including childbirth), and biomechanical imbalances can all cause SI joint pain — often mimicking lumbar disc disease or hip arthritis.
Why Fluoroscopic Guidance Matters
The SI joint is a complex, irregular joint that cannot be reliably accessed without imaging. Fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance with contrast dye confirmation ensures the needle and medication are placed precisely within the joint space — maximizing both diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic effect.
Conditions Treated
- Sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis
- Post-partum SI joint pain
- Trauma-related SI joint injury
- Inflammatory arthritis involving the SI joints (ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis)
- Post-fusion SI joint stress syndrome (pain after adjacent lumbar fusion)
After the Injection
Monitor your pain response carefully in the first 2–4 hours (local anesthetic effect) and then again at 2–5 days (steroid effect begins). This information helps Dr. Rubin assess the SI joint's role in your pain and plan appropriate next steps.
Contact Us
For evaluation of low back, buttock, or pelvic pain that may originate from the sacroiliac joints, call 516-492-3100.