For Patients
Get the Right Diagnostic Test
To determine whether you have a sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, it's very important that you get the right diagnostic tests. Here are the most commonly accepted methods to diagnose SI joint dysfunction.
Diagnosis
SI Joint Pain Tests
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction diagnosis includes discussing your history and pain experience, a physical examination, and tests to rule out other sources of pain, like lumbar spine pain and hip pain. Diagnostic algorithm includes these steps:
- Provocative tests
- Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI)
- Diagnostic SI joint injections of the SI joint
Provocative SI Joint Tests
Your doctor may perform a series of provocative tests or exams to manipulate your joints or feel for tenderness over your SI joint. All of these can help establish a diagnosis.6,7,8,9,10 Provocative SI joint tests include:
- Distraction
- Thigh thrust
- Compression
- FABER
- Gaenslen
Your doctor will apply pressure to your hips, knees, and other areas to see which maneuvers may cause discomfort or pain.
Diagnostic Imaging
In addition, X-rays, a CT scan, or MRI may be helpful in diagnosis. It is also important to remember that more than one condition (like a disc or hip problem) can co-exist with SI joint problems and your doctor should check for other factors that may be causing symptoms.
Diagnostic Injections of the SI Joint
The most widely used method to accurately determine the cause of SI joint pain is to inject the SI joint with local anesthetic.
Fluoroscopic guided SI joint injection with:
- local anesthetic
- contrast medium
Post-injection pain reduction:
- ≥ 50% SI joint is likely the source of pain
- < 50% Should consider other pain sources, but SI joint may be a component
During the SI joint injection procedure, a small amount of numbing medicine (a local anesthetic such as lidocaine) is injected into the SI joint under fluoroscopic guidance or CT guidance.
If the injection results in a significant decrease in SI joint pain (more than 50% pain relief) for an hour or two after the injection, then this is considered a positive or confirmatory diagnostic injection. This means your SI joint is most likely the cause of your pain.11
If the level of pain does not change after the injection, the SI joint is less likely to be the primary cause.