Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
(SI Joint Pain)
Medical Author: Jason C. Eck, DO, MS
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What are the sacroiliac (SI) joints?
The sacroiliac (SI) joints are formed by the connection of the sacrum and the
right and left iliac bones. The sacrum is the triangular-shaped bone in the
lower portion of the spine, below the lumbar spine. While most of the bones
(vertebrae) of the spine are mobile, the sacrum is made up of five vertebrae
that are fused together and do not move. The iliac bones are the two large bones
that make up the pelvis. As a result, the SI joints connect the spine to the
pelvis. The sacrum and the iliac bones (ileum) are held together by a collection
of strong ligaments. There is relatively little motion at the SI joints. There
are normally less than 4 degrees of rotation and 2 mm of translation at these
joints. Most of the motion in the area of the pelvis occurs either at the hips
or the lumbar spine. These joints do need to support the entire weight of the
upper body when we are erect, which places a large amount of stress across them.
This can lead to wearing of the cartilage of the SI joints and arthritis.
What is sacroiliac joint dysfunction?
There are many different terms for sacroiliac joint problems including SI
joint dysfunction, SI joint syndrome, SI joint strain, and SI joint inflammation. Each of these
terms refers to a condition that causes pain in the SI joints from a variety of
causes.
Next: What causes sacroiliac joint dysfunction? »
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Last Editorial Review: 10/31/2007
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