After 60, most people I know have aged less elegantly than they had hoped – memory loss, hearing loss, failing eyesight, arthritis, poor kidney function, blood pressure changes and even poor heart function. But despite being married to a doctor for 53 years sofar, I had never heard of sacroiliac malfunction. Now, sadly, I have.
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The sacroiliac joint lies at the base of the spine between sacrum and the ilium. Its job is to transmit force from legs to spine when the body moves by acting as a shock absorber within the pelvis.
Sacroiliac joint lies at the base of the spine between sacrum (pink) and the ilium (cream).
Sacroiliitis is a painful condition that affects joints which sit where the lower spine and pelvis meet. Sacroiliitis can cause pain in a buttock or lower back, and the pain might go down a leg. It can be hard to diagnose as it can be mistaken for other causes of low back pain. It's been linked to diseases that cause inflammatory arthritis of the spine. Mayoclinic described the following: symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatments.
The pain of sacroiliitis most often occurs in the buttocks and lower back. It also can affect the legs, groin and even the feet. These can make the pain worse: sleeping, sitting or standing for a long time; having more weight on one leg than the other; stair climbing; and taking large steps. But sometimes the pain can improve with even walking.
Osteo-arthritis can occur in sacroiliac joints from wear-and-tear. So can a type of arthritis that affects the spine aka ankylosing spondylitis. Accidents and pregnancy may also be responsible (not in my case!). A pelvic X-ray can show signs of damage to the sacroiliac joint. An MRI can show whether the damage is the result of ankylosing spondylitis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers can be bought without a script, including ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Or a health care provider might prescribe a stronger pain reliever. A physio therapist can teach range-of-motion and stretching exercises, to ease pain and to keep the low back and hips more flexible. Strengthening exercises help protect the joints.
I have been retired since the Covid lockdowns, so sacroiliitis hasn’t made any difference to my employment, income or distance from colleagues and students. But it has greatly slowed down the time I have taken to get into or out of bed; ended my driving for now; puts the cooking and cleaning responsibilities totally on the beloved spouse; and makes me walk like my grandmother did in her old age home. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers have greatly helped, but I feel like a junkie.
The pain of sacroiliitis most often occurs in the buttocks and lower back. It also can affect the legs, groin and even the feet. These can make the pain worse: sleeping, sitting or standing for a long time; having more weight on one leg than the other; stair climbing; and taking large steps. But sometimes the pain can improve with even walking.
Osteo-arthritis can occur in sacroiliac joints from wear-and-tear. So can a type of arthritis that affects the spine aka ankylosing spondylitis. Accidents and pregnancy may also be responsible (not in my case!). A pelvic X-ray can show signs of damage to the sacroiliac joint. An MRI can show whether the damage is the result of ankylosing spondylitis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers can be bought without a script, including ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Or a health care provider might prescribe a stronger pain reliever. A physio therapist can teach range-of-motion and stretching exercises, to ease pain and to keep the low back and hips more flexible. Strengthening exercises help protect the joints.
I have been retired since the Covid lockdowns, so sacroiliitis hasn’t made any difference to my employment, income or distance from colleagues and students. But it has greatly slowed down the time I have taken to get into or out of bed; ended my driving for now; puts the cooking and cleaning responsibilities totally on the beloved spouse; and makes me walk like my grandmother did in her old age home. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers have greatly helped, but I feel like a junkie.