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Sacroiliac Joint Injection

What is a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?

A sacroiliac joint injection is a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat pain and inflammation in the sacroiliac joints. The sacroiliac joints are located at the base of the spine, where the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine) connects to the ilium (part of the pelvic bone). These joints play a crucial role in transferring the weight of the upper body to the lower body during activities like walking and standing.


How Do I Prepare for My Procedure?

No solid food or fluids after midnight prior to the procedure unless directed otherwise. You may take your medications with a small amount of water. Diabetics should not take their medication for diabetes until after the procedure is complete. Please check your blood sugar at home before arriving at the PMC. If you are taking any blood thinners such as Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, or any others, these medications must be discontinued well before the procedure. You will be directed by our staff as to when you should stop this medication. Please make your doctor aware that you are taking a blood thinner, and contact your primary care physician or prescribing physician before stopping this medication.


Will the Injection Hurt a Lot?

Most people say the stinging/burning of the numbing medicine is the most uncomfortable part of the procedure (this lasts only a few seconds); however, every person’s response to any procedure will differ.

What are the Risks of the Procedure?

As with most procedures, there is a remote risk of bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction to the medications used. Additional short-term effects may occur. You may have some temporary numbness or weakness in your legs caused by the local anesthetic (numbing medicine). If this interferes with your ability to walk safely, you will have to remain in the Pain Management Center until it resolves, usually several hours. You may have increased pain for a few days after the injection, including localized pain at the injection site. Diabetics may have short-term elevation of blood sugars as a result of the steroid medication.

Updated on Apr 16, 2024 by Dr. Thomas Stauss (Pain Management) of Pro Spine & Pain

Thomas Stauss, MD

Thomas Stauss, MD, completed both his undergraduate and medical studies at the esteemed University of Wisconsin in Madison. Dr. Stauss values having access to a wide array of cutting-edge treatment options, ensuring effective relief for his patients' discomfort and a significant enhancement in their quality of life. More specifically, he specializes in utilizing implanted devices to manage chronic pain. Dr. Stauss’s primary objective is to uphold the dignity of each patient while delivering ethical and professional services.

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