Pain originating from the joint between the sacrum and pelvis, often mistaken for lumbar disc disease. Learn how Mr. Rath diagnoses and treats sacroiliac dysfunction.
The sacroiliac (SI) joint connects the triangular bone at the base of the spine (the sacrum) to the pelvic ilium on each side. It bears the load transferred between the spine and legs with every step. When the joint is inflamed, hypermobile, or damaged — through injury, pregnancy, arthritis, or degeneration — it can generate significant low back and buttock pain that is easily confused with lumbar disc disease or hip pathology.
SI joint pain is notoriously difficult to identify from history alone because the pain distribution overlaps with lumbar conditions. Diagnosis relies on a combination of:
Sacroiliac dysfunction can fluctuate considerably. Many patients improve with targeted physiotherapy focusing on pelvic stabilisation, activity modification, and periodic injections. A subgroup have persistent, disabling pain that does not respond to conservative measures — these patients are candidates for minimally invasive SI joint fusion.
Mr. Rath assesses each patient carefully before recommending fusion, ensuring that the SI joint is truly the dominant pain generator rather than a coincidental finding.
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