Sacroiliac Joint Injection

What is a sacroiliac joint injection and how is it performed?

The sacroiliac facet joints are a small joint in the region of the low back and buttocks where the pelvis joins with the spine. If the joints become painful they may cause pain in the low back, buttocks, abdomen, groin or legs. The injection is performed with the patient lying on his or her abdomen. Prior to the injection, the area of the skin where the medication will be injected is cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic. With the use of fluoroscopy (live x-ray), the radiologist injects a mixture of local anesthetic and steroid medication into the sacroiliac joint.

Before the Procedure:

Once scheduled for a sacroiliac joint injection, you will be contacted by one of the spine nurses. You will be asked to provide information regarding your current problem, past medical history, and medications. She will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for the upcoming procedure. You must bring your most recent MRI with you. You will be asked to hold any blood thinning medications such as Coumadin, Plavix, Aspirin, and any NSAIDS. Any insurance questions can be answered by your referring physician.

The Day of the Procedure:





How soon can I return to my normal activities following a sacroiliac joint injection?


Is a sacroiliac joint injection covered by insurance?
