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What is the sacroiliac joint? The sacroiliac joint is a joint located on the low back and buttocks where the pelvis joins with the spine. If the joint becomes painful it may cause pain in the low back, buttocks, groin and leg. Why are sacroiliac joint injections helpful? A sacroiliac joint injection serves several purposes. By placing numbing medicine into the joint, the amount of immediate pain relief experienced will help confirm or deny the joint as a source of pain. What happens during the procedure? An IV might be started so that sedation medication can be given. The patient is placed on the x-ray table on their stomach in such a way that the physician can best visualize the joint in the back using fluoroscopic (x-ray) guidance. The skin on the low back is prepped and draped in a sterile fashion. Following this, the physician numbs a small area in the skin with a local anesthetic. This medicine stings for several seconds. After the numbing medicine has been given time to be effective, the physician directs a very small needle, using x-ray guidance, into the joint. A small amount of contrast (dye) is injected to ensure proper needle position inside the joint space. Then, a small mixture of numbing medicine (anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory medication (steroid) is injected. One or both joints may be injected depending on the location of the patient's usual pain. What happens after the procedure? The patient will be monitored for 15-30 minutes. Instructions for the procedure The patient can eat a light meal within a few hours before the procedure. If a patient is an insulin dependent diabetic, they must not change their normal eating pattern prior to the procedure. Patients may take their routine medications (i.e. blood pressure and diabetic medications). You were given a number of medications during the procedure. These sometimes include sedatives, narcotics, local anesthetics, steroids and other medications. Any of these drugs or the procedure itself sometimes can cause side effects, including drowsiness, temporary numbness, weakness and soreness. What to do after the procedure? Rest a few hours and use assistance if needed. Resume activity as tolerated, but do not overdo it. Resume regular diet. Restrictions: Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 12 hours. Do not make important decisions for 12-24 hours after treatment. Walk with assistance as long as numbness, weakness or drowsiness is present. Notify if the office you have: Excessive or abnormal bleeding, persistent chills or fever over 100 degrees or if there is no major change in pain pattern or level. Emergency: In case of emergency, call (954) 493-5048. If you are unable to reach the physician, report to the nearest emergency room and request them to inform the physician at Fort Lauderdale Pain Medicine. Few
other things: Resume your usual medication(s). Apply ice as instructed.
If the IV site becomes painful, place warm towels on the site for
20 minutes, 2-3 times a day. |
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Our Office is Located Just South of Holy Cross Hospital
1930 NE 47th Street, Suite 300 Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308
