• 22 May, 2026
• UnityPain
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Sacroiliac Joint Injection | Unity Pain Modesto CA

When Your Lower Back Pain Just Won’t Go Away

If you have been dealing with deep, aching pain in your lower back or buttocks, you know how exhausting it can be. Simple things like getting out of bed, climbing stairs, or sitting through a meal can feel like a battle. You may have tried heating pads, stretches, and over-the-counter pain relievers — only to find little relief. If that sounds familiar, the sacroiliac joint might be the source of your pain, and a sacroiliac joint injection may be worth learning about.

You are not alone in this struggle. Pain in the sacroiliac joint is a recognized and treatable cause of lower back and leg pain. Understanding what this joint is, why it hurts, and how an injection might help can be the first step toward feeling better.

What Is the Sacroiliac Joint?

The sacroiliac joint — often called the SI joint — connects the bottom of your spine to your pelvis. You actually have two of them, one on each side of your lower back. These joints carry the weight of your upper body and act as shock absorbers when you walk, run, or stand. They do not move very much, but they do need to work smoothly to keep you comfortable.

When the SI joint becomes inflamed, irritated, or moves in an abnormal way, it can cause significant pain. This pain is often felt in the lower back, buttocks, hips, and sometimes down one leg. It can be hard to tell SI joint pain apart from other types of back pain, which is why a proper evaluation by a medical professional is so important before starting any treatment.

Common Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Pain

SI joint pain can develop for several different reasons. Injury is one common cause — a fall, a car accident, or even lifting something the wrong way can strain or damage the joint. Pregnancy is another well-known cause, because hormonal changes loosen the ligaments around the SI joint to prepare the body for childbirth, which can lead to pain during and after pregnancy.

Other causes include arthritis, including osteoarthritis and a condition called ankylosing spondylitis, which causes inflammation in the spine and SI joints. Sometimes the joint pain develops gradually with no clear single event. Certain activities, postures, or leg-length differences can put uneven stress on the SI joint over time, wearing it down little by little.

How Is Sacroiliac Joint Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosing SI joint pain takes careful attention. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, your medical history, and what makes the pain better or worse. A physical exam may include specific tests where the doctor applies gentle pressure or moves your leg in certain ways to see if it triggers your familiar pain.

Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs can sometimes show changes in the joint, but imaging alone does not always confirm SI joint pain. One of the most reliable ways to confirm the diagnosis is a diagnostic injection — where a small amount of numbing medicine is placed directly into the joint. If your pain goes away for a short time after the injection, that strongly suggests the SI joint is the source of your problem. This same procedure can also be used as a treatment, which brings us to sacroiliac joint injections.

What Happens During a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?

A sacroiliac joint injection is a minimally invasive procedure done in a clinical setting. Before the injection, the skin over the joint is cleaned and numbed so you feel as little discomfort as possible. Using imaging guidance — usually fluoroscopy (a type of live X-ray) — your provider carefully guides a small needle into the SI joint to make sure the medicine is placed in exactly the right spot.

The injection usually contains a local anesthetic to provide quick, short-term pain relief, along with a corticosteroid to help reduce inflammation over a longer period. The procedure itself typically takes only a few minutes. Most patients go home the same day and can return to light activities fairly quickly. Results vary from person to person, and your care team will talk with you about what to expect and how to track your response after the procedure.

What Are the Benefits and Risks?

For many people with confirmed SI joint pain, an injection can provide meaningful relief that allows them to participate more fully in physical therapy and daily activities. Reducing inflammation in the joint can help break the cycle of pain that makes movement so difficult. Some patients experience relief lasting weeks or months, while others may need additional treatments over time.

Like any medical procedure, SI joint injections carry some risks, though serious complications are uncommon. Possible risks include temporary soreness at the injection site, infection, bleeding, or a short-term increase in pain before improvement begins. Corticosteroids used repeatedly can have side effects as well. Your provider will review all of this with you so you can make an informed decision about your care.

Getting the Help You Deserve

Living with chronic lower back and buttock pain takes a real toll — on your mood, your sleep, your relationships, and your ability to enjoy life. If you suspect your pain may be coming from the sacroiliac joint, speaking with a pain management specialist is an important next step. A full evaluation can help pinpoint the source of your pain and open the door to treatments that are right for you.

At Unity Pain Management in Modesto, CA, the team is experienced in evaluating and treating sacroiliac joint pain with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. Services include joint injections, medication management, physical therapy referrals, and more — and the clinic works with most insurance plans to make care more accessible. You deserve real answers and real relief. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and there are people ready to walk this road with you.

References

• Cohen, Steven P. “Sacroiliac Joint Pain: A Comprehensive Review of Anatomy, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2005.
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “Low Back Pain Fact Sheet.” National Institutes of Health. 2023.
• Simopoulos, Thomas T., et al. “A Systematic Evaluation of Prevalence and Diagnostic Accuracy of Sacroiliac Joint Interventions.” Pain Physician. 2012.
• Manchikanti, Laxmaiah, et al. “Comprehensive Evidence-Based Guidelines for Interventional Techniques in the Management of Chronic Spinal Pain.” Pain Physician. 2009.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction.” Mayo Clinic. 2023.