Overcome Painful Stairs Climbing - Mainland Pain Management

The sacroiliac joint links the pelvis (ileum) to the lower spine (known as the sacrum). There are two sacroiliac joints, one on each side. This joint also helps transfer the body’s weight to the legs when standing. Inflammation of this joint is called sacroiliitis. It can cause chronic pain and discomfort in some patients. Steroids are injected directly into the joint to treat this inflammation.

Patients with sacroiliac joint problems may have difficulty climbing the stairs or find getting in and out of a chair, bed or car painful. At Mainland Pain Management, our pain management specialist provides effective sacroiliac joint pain management treatment in New Jersey.

Why Do I Need Sacroiliac Joint (SI) Injections?

The pain coming from the sacroiliac joint can be dull, aching, or sharp. It may radiate to the groin, thigh, or leg. Sacroiliac joint pain treatment injections can diagnose whether the sacroiliac joint is the actual pain generator or treat pain from SI joints. Only numbing medications are used for the diagnostic injections, so the effect may last 4-8 hours. Steroids are used in therapeutic SI joint injections. The steroids decrease the inflammation in the joint and may help with the pain for 3-6 months.

Before you agree to the Diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, make sure you know:

The name of the test or procedure
The reason for the procedure
What to expect after the procedure
Possible complications of the procedure
Where you are having the procedure done
Who to call if you have questions

What are the Risks of SI Joint Injections?

Since the SI joint injections are always done under the continuous guidance of an X-ray machine, the risks are very low. However, some of the reported side effects are

Sleeping problems
Anxiety
Water retention
In rare cases, worsening of pain for 1-2 days
Flushing is attributed to the injected steroids, which is a feeling of warmth around the face and chest. This usually will subside within 2-3 days.

Serious complications are rare but can include

Allergic reactions
Infection
Bleeding/Hematoma

What Can I Try Before Going for Sacroiliac Joint Injections?

Over-the-counter inflammatory medications like Motrin and Aleve (make sure you are not on blood thinners and do not have kidney problems).
Physical therapy
Chiropractor
Nerve pain medications like Gabapentin, Cymbalta, Lyrica
Exercising. There are specific exercises for SI joint stretches.

One is advised to get treated by a skilled physician to avoid such complications and risks. You can get effective sacroiliac joint pain management treatment in Linwood with Dr. Dipty Mangla at Mainland Pain Management.

Is Any testing required before SI Joint Injections?

Sacroiliac joint inflammation is a clinical diagnosis, and your provider will perform maneuvers to provoke pain to diagnose SI joint-related pain. Most clinicians will at least order X-rays of the lumbar and sacral area before scheduling SI joint injections.

You do not have to stop anticoagulation or blood thinners before SI joint injections.

How do I get ready for SI joint injections?

Tips for getting ready for Sacroiliac Joint Injections or sacroiliac joint pain management treatment in Linwood are:

Limit eating or drinking for a certain amount of time before your procedure.
If you are choosing to get sedatives or anesthesia for your procedures, you will be asked to bring someone to drive you.
Give yourself an ample amount of time to reach the facility, and be prepared to be at the facility for at least an hour.
Bring a list of your medications.
Let the treating team know if you have latex or contrast allergy.

What Happens During the Procedure?

During Sacroiliac Joint Pain Treatment in Linwood, our center will include the following steps:

You will be asked to change into a gown
The procedure itself is only 1-2 minutes.
You will be asked to lie on a table on your abdomen
The monitors will be then applied including blood pressure and EKG.
The back will be cleaned with a cold cleaning solution.
The area to be approached will be identified with an X-ray machine
The skin will be numbed with numbing medicine.
The needle is then directed to the appropriate space under the guidance of an X-ray machine.
The space will be injected with contrast to ensure the needle is in the appropriate position.
The SI joint injections will then be injected with steroids and local anesthetic.

How painful is SI Joint Injection?

You may feel a little pinch when the clinician injects numbing medicine. The numbing needle is smaller than any blood draw or flu shot needle. After that, you may or may not feel.

Pressure
Tingling
Burning
Momentary pain

What to Expect after SI Joint Injections?

Whereas most patients are numb after the injection and walk out without pain, you may feel some pressure in the groin or thigh after the injections. This pressure is transient and may last 2-3 days. On the day of the procedure, it is recommended only to do light activity. If you are not too sore the next day, you can resume light exercising or physical therapy. Any dressing can come off the next day. Do not soak for 24 hours after the injections.

Steroids typically take 7-10 days to work. It may be helpful to maintain a pain diary after the procedure to analyze the effect of injections and plan future treatment. Keep taking your medications as before the injections until you see your provider for a post-procedural visit.

You will make an appointment with the office two weeks after the procedure. Our pain management specialists advise patients to follow post-care guidelines to achieve the maximum results from the best sacroiliac joint pain treatment in New Jersey at our center.

What are the Side Effects of SI Joint Injection?

You may experience mild discomfort for 2-3 days at the injection site.
If you have Hypertension or diabetes, you may see a transient rise in blood pressure or blood sugar. This is usually transient and may last up to 48 hours after the injections.
Steroids can cause an increase in eye pressure for patients who have glaucoma.

To find out sacroiliac joint injections cost in New Jersey at our center and to avail the benefits of this effective treatment, book a consultation with our pain management specialist now!

How Long After Does It Show Effect?

The numbing medicine will help you immediately; however, it will wear off in about 4 hours. Steroids can take up to 7-10 days for full effect.

What are some Long-term Strategies to Avoid Sacroiliac Joint Pain?

Diet and exercise are effective in treating arthritis-related pain.
Sacroiliac joint exercises
Seek treatment for underlying rheumatological conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Look into orthotics, especially if you had surgeries on the legs or feet.
Work with physical therapy for any underlying balance issues.

If all this won’t work one can get sacroiliac joint pain management treatment in Linwood at Mainland Pain Management.

When Should I Call the Pain Management Office?

You will be instructed to make a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks. It is highly recommended that you follow up regardless of whether the injection helped or not, as the follow-up visit will discuss a further course of treatment.

It is recommended to call the office immediately if you are

Feeling dizzy
Have uncontrolled pain that is not helped by Motrin, Tylenol or ice packs
You are experiencing a fever
If you have increased weakness in your legs or arms
Complete loss of bowel or bladder control

To get advanced sacroiliac joint pain treatment in New Jersey for chronic pain alleviation, consult at Mainland Pain Management.

When Should I Call the Pain Management Office?

You will be instructed to make a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks. It is highly recommended that you follow up with the pain management specialist regardless of whether the SNRB helped, as further courses of treatment will be discussed in the follow-up visit. For chronic pain, consult for the best pain relief with a spinal nerve root block treatment in New Jersey at our advanced pain management center.

It is recommended to call the office immediately if you are

Feeling dizzy
Have uncontrolled pain that is not helped by Motrin, Tylenol, or ice packs
You are experiencing a fever
If you have increased weakness in your legs or arms
Complete loss of bowel or bladder control

For chronic pain management and effective selective nerve root block treatment in Linwood, consult Mainland Pain Management. Here you will get the best pain relief with spinal nerve root block treatment. Also, learn about the cost of spinal nerve root block injections.