Lower back pain has a way of interrupting everything—your sleep, your work, your ability to walk comfortably, even the simple act of standing long enough to make breakfast. Many of our patients describe it as a deep ache or a sharp, radiating pain that settles near the hips or low spine and refuses to let up. Others notice discomfort that travels into the buttock, groin, or thigh, making them wonder if it’s sciatica, a lumbar disc issue, or something else entirely.
Here’s the part most people don’t realize: one of the most common—and most overlooked—sources of lower back pain is the sacroiliac (SI) joint.
When this joint becomes inflamed or irritated, it can mimic several other spinal conditions. That’s why accurate diagnosis matters, and why many people spend months or years chasing the wrong treatments.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we use ultrasound-guided SI joint injections as a safe, precise, minimally invasive way to relieve SI-related pain and help confirm whether the SI joint is truly the source. These injections don’t just deliver medication—they deliver clarity, comfort, and a real opportunity to get life back on track.
When the sacroiliac joint becomes inflamed, irritated, or overloaded, it can create intense lower back and hip pain that disrupts daily life. Ultrasound-guided SI joint injections are a minimally invasive way to calm that inflammation and confirm that the SI joint is truly the source of pain.
The SI joint is surrounded by strong ligaments and deep tissue, making it difficult for medication to reach without guidance. An SI joint injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication exactly where it’s needed to reduce joint irritation.
Most patients experience noticeable relief once inflammation decreases—sometimes within hours or days. Targeted treatment means you’re not masking symptoms; you’re treating the source.
When inflammation calms, mobility improves. Patients often report being able to walk longer, stand comfortably, and perform daily activities with far less pain.
Ultrasound allows the provider to see the joint space and surrounding structures in real time, guiding the needle exactly where the medication needs to go.
Traditional injections rely on “best guess” anatomical landmarks. Ultrasound removes uncertainty, drastically improving both accuracy and outcomes.
Ultrasound reveals nerves, vessels, ligaments, and joint margins—allowing your provider to navigate safely and comfortably.
This ensures the medication is delivered inside the joint, not near it. Proper placement leads to better, longer-lasting relief.
Your provider will review your history, imaging, and symptoms to ensure the SI joint is the likely source of pain.
Specific tests, movements, and gentle pressure help pinpoint the SI joint as the pain generator.
We walk you through the procedure, what you’ll feel, and what the expected outcome is—so you feel confident and informed.
You’ll typically lie face-down so the provider can access the SI joint safely and comfortably.
The area is cleaned, and a small amount of local anesthetic is applied to numb the skin. Most patients say this is the only part they feel.
The ultrasound probe is placed on the skin to visualize the joint and guide the needle precisely into position.
A combination of local anesthetic (for quick relief) and anti-inflammatory steroid (for longer-lasting healing) is injected directly into the joint.
Most describe a slight pressure or pinch—nothing sharp or prolonged. The entire injection typically takes only a few minutes.
We observe you for a short period to ensure you feel stable and comfortable before going home.
Some patients feel improvement immediately due to the anesthetic. Deeper, longer-term relief from the steroid usually appears over 24–72 hours.
Mild soreness at the injection site is normal for a day or two. Most patients continue normal activity with light modifications.
When it comes to treating sacroiliac joint pain, accuracy isn’t just important—it’s everything. The SI joint sits deep within the pelvis, surrounded by ligaments, nerves, and vascular structures. Without imaging, it can be extremely difficult to access precisely, which is why traditional “landmark-only” injections often fall short.
Because of its location beneath layers of tissue, even experienced practitioners benefit from real-time imaging to ensure the medication reaches the joint space—not simply the tissues around it.
With the ultrasound probe, your provider can visualize:
This significantly reduces the risk of unintended needle contact with sensitive structures.
When medication is delivered exactly where inflammation is occurring, patients often experience:
Landmark-only injections sometimes miss the joint, leading to incomplete or short-lived relief. Ultrasound decreases the likelihood of this, meaning fewer injections and more meaningful improvement.
With inflammation reduced and medication placed precisely in the joint, many patients feel meaningful relief within days.
Steroid medication calms the inflammatory process that drives SI joint pain, allowing your body to begin healing with far less irritation.
Patients often report being able to sit, stand, walk, and sleep more comfortably. Even simple tasks—like climbing stairs or getting in and out of a car—become easier.
The entire process takes only minutes, and you can return to most normal activities shortly afterward.
For many individuals, SI joint injections provide enough relief to avoid more invasive procedures. Even when surgery is eventually needed, injections can help confirm diagnosis and improve function ahead of time.
Whether the pain developed suddenly from an injury or gradually over years, targeted injections help quiet inflammation and restore balance.
This is where Medici’s integrated philosophy shines. SI joint injections often enhance the results of:
Together, these treatments support long-term healing—not just temporary relief.
Sacroiliac joint pain is real, often overlooked, and incredibly disruptive to daily life. Many patients spend months—or even years—treating the wrong area of their spine simply because SI joint dysfunction mimics so many other conditions. The good news is that with the right diagnosis and the right treatment, relief is absolutely possible.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we’re proud to lead with evidence-based, minimally invasive spine care that puts patient comfort and results first. Our goal is simple: restore your mobility, reduce your pain, and get you back to the life you love—with the least invasive approach possible.
If you’re struggling with lower back, hip, or pelvic pain and suspect the SI joint may be involved, our team is here to help you find answers—not just temporary relief. A personalized evaluation can determine whether an ultrasound-guided SI joint injection is the right next step for your healing.
📞 Main Line: +1-844-328-4624
🌐 Website: https://www.mediciortho.com/
📍 Locations:
At Medici, you’re more than your MRI.
We take time to hear your story, understand your pain, and create a plan that actually works for you.
Our team delivers specialist care at convenient locations across Metro Atlanta:
Get expert tips on injury recovery, pain relief, joint health, and movement strategies—straight from our Fellowship-Trained team.
