Dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint is capable of producing chronic and sometimes unbearable pain in the hips and lower back. Even pelvic and groin pain are not out of the question. Unfortunately, some sacroiliac joint disorders cannot be treated with pain medication alone. But some can.
Perhaps the most common non-pharmaceutical treatment is sacroiliac joint fusion. Indeed, the treatment is projected to generate some $620 million in revenue in 2022 alone. Experts are projecting that the total market for the treatment could grow to as much as $3.9 billion over the next decade, representing a CAGR of more than 20%.
Numbers like these inevitably raise the question of whether certain segments of the medical community are recommending unnecessary procedures in order to drive revenues. Asking such questions is uncomfortable but necessary.
More About the Sacroiliac Joint
The sacroiliac joints are the two joints that connect the hips to the sacrum. There is one on either side. They are considered low-motion joints due to the fact that the hips have limited range. But even so, the slightest disruption in either one of the joints can cause significant pain.
It has been estimated that up to 30% of all patients complaining of lower back pain are experiencing the pain as a result of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Furthermore, the condition is fairly common in older people aged sixty and above. This creates yet another question: is the dysfunction the result of age-related arthritis? If so, sacroiliac joint fusion may not be the best option.
Sacroiliac Joint Injections
While there are some legitimate sacroiliac joint problems that cannot be effectively treated with medication, dysfunction caused by degenerative arthritis can be. The pain doctors at Lone Star Pain Medicine in Weatherford, TX offer their patients sacroiliac injection therapy.
Sacroiliac joint injections combine pain medication and steroids. The pain medication is essentially anesthesia that numbs the affected joint. Meanwhile, the steroids reduce inflammation over time. Some patients experience pain relief for several months.
It should be noted that not all patients respond equally well to sacroiliac joint injections. But in fairness, not all respond equally well to any type of treatment. Whether you are taking about prescription medications, injections, or sacroiliac joint fusion, patients respond differently. No single treatment works 100% of the time.
A Mutual Decision
Treating sacroiliac joint dysfunction is rarely easy. There are a lot of factors to consider because there is so much in play. However, one thing is certain: any decision to treat sacroiliac joint dysfunction needs to be a joint decision between patient and doctor. The two need to mutually agree on the best course of action before anything is done.
Fusion surgery is serious business. It is an invasive procedure that, like any other surgery, carries with it certain risks. Those risks have to be weighed against the fact that the patient may ultimately not find any relief following surgery.
Likewise, sacroiliac joint injections have their own risks. Even though they are considered minimally invasive, there is always the risk of infection whenever injections take place. Likewise, patients may not find any relief even after several treatments.
The pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction can range from mild to severe. A patient’s pain level can partially determine how far they are willing to go to get relief. The good news is that some forms of sacroiliac dysfunction can be treated with pain medication. Others cannot. If you are experiencing this type of pain yourself, make a point of having a good conversation with your pain doctor before deciding on a treatment.
