“I wondered why it hurt”… Is this lifestyle habit the cause of sacral inflammation pain?

“I wondered why it hurt”… Is this lifestyle habit the cause of sacral inflammation pain?

Mr. A, a middle-aged man with high blood sugar and high blood pressure who sits most of the day at work, recently experienced severe pain in his lower back, between his sacrum and hip bones. He applied a pain reliever to the area for two days, but the pain persisted. Suspecting a problem with his hip joint (the joint where the pelvis and leg meet), he went to the hospital. However, he was diagnosed with sacroiliac arthritis, a condition he hadn't heard of before.

 

People at high risk for chronic inflammation and those who spend a lot of time sitting at a desk should be especially careful, as they can suddenly develop sacroiliac joint disease (SARD) as they age. According to medical information from the Cleveland Clinic, SARD occurs when the joint where the spine and pelvis meet (the sacroiliac joint or sacroiliac joint) is irritated. It is primarily treated with physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications.

 

When waking up, you feel stiff and the symptoms last for more than an hour.

 

Previous studies estimate that approximately one-quarter of patients with low back pain (LUB) suffer from sacroiliac joint arthritis (SAO). Sacroiliac joints cause pain in the lower back, buttocks (buttock muscles), and legs. The sacroiliac joint, which connects the sacrum (also known as the tailbone) and the hip bone, is quite large. Every movement of the hips and lower back uses this joint. When the SAJ becomes irritated or damaged, inflammation occurs, resulting in severe pain in the lower back and buttocks.

According to medical information from the Mayo Clinic in the United States, inflammation of the sacroiliac joint can cause difficulty performing movements such as sitting and standing, bending over, lifting objects, and maintaining a certain posture. Lower back pain worsens after sitting or standing in the same position for a long time, or when rotating the hips. It typically feels sharp and stabbing, but can also be a dull, persistent pain. The pain radiates from the lower back to the buttocks and thighs. Many people experience stiffness in the sacroiliac joint area, especially in the morning. Stiffness typically lasts for more than an hour. Pain can worsen with prolonged standing, sitting in the same position, climbing stairs, running, placing more weight on one leg, or taking large strides forward.

 

It's important to tell your doctor exactly what pain you're experiencing, especially in which positions and movements it's most severe.

 

Why does this inflammation and pain occur? Any risk factor for joint inflammation can contribute to sacroiliitis. Ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, which affect the joints of the spine, are major causes. Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation in the joints and scaly patches of psoriasis on the skin. Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, reactive arthritis (Reiter's syndrome), and Behcet's disease can also cause sacroiliitis. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can cause the sacroiliac joints to widen and rotate, which can lead to inflammation and pain. Falls, car accidents, and infections with various viruses and bacteria can also cause sacroiliitis.

 

If left untreated, sacroiliac joint arthritis can lead to complications. It can worsen to severe mobility impairment, making it difficult to move even short distances. Persistent pain can make it difficult to sleep and can even lead to depression. If you experience pain in your sacroiliac joint, it's best to see an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible. Be sure to tell your doctor in detail about when the pain started, whether certain activities (positions, movements, types of pressure) make it worse, and whether you're taking medication for other conditions. This will help determine the cause and ensure proper treatment. Diagnosis may involve a pelvic X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or blood tests.

Physical therapy and stretching to strengthen the muscles around the joints ∙Don't neglect exercise

 

Patients should receive regular physical therapy and not neglect stretching and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the sacroiliac joint. This also helps increase the range of motion of the sacroiliac joint. Depending on the diagnosis of a specialist, pain can be managed with medications (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen). These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should not be taken for more than 10 consecutive days without consulting a doctor. Other options include muscle relaxants, pain-relieving injections, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In some cases, the help of a rheumatologist may be necessary. In rare cases, doctors may recommend surgery (arthroplasty, which permanently fixes the joint with surgical screws).

 

To prevent sacroiliac joint arthritis, quit smoking, engage in low-impact, appropriate exercise, and maintain a healthy diet. If a patient has inflammatory arthritis, damage to the sacroiliac joint can be permanent. Most patients treat the underlying cause with medication and alleviate symptoms with physical therapy. If symptoms recur or worsen, consult a medical professional.

 

Pain may occur without inflammation, but don't assume it is the cause.

 

One important thing to note: Even if the sacroiliac joint isn't inflamed, you can still feel pain in or near it. Low back pain is a very common symptom, with many people experiencing pain in the lower back, near the sacroiliac joint. Pain can occur even without inflammation due to poor posture or temporary stress on the sacroiliac joint.

 

However, if the pain doesn't subside after a few days (up to a week), you should definitely seek medical attention. Patients with arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obesity should especially seek immediate medical attention from an orthopedic specialist if they experience hip pain. These conditions are closely linked to chronic inflammation.