Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injection in Castle Rock
What is a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
A sacroiliac (SI) joint injection is a minimally invasive procedure designed to diagnose and treat pain caused by inflammation or dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint. The SI joint connects the sacrum (lower part of the spine) to the pelvis and can become a source of significant lower back, hip, and buttock pain. This treatment involves injecting a steroid medication and a local anesthetic directly into the joint to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
This page focuses on steroid injections for the sacroiliac joint. Dr. Carrera also offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for this and other joints. You can refer to the PRP treatment page to learn more about this alternative therapy.
How does a Sacroiliac Joint Injection Work?
The steroid medication reduces inflammation, while the local anesthetic provides temporary pain relief. If pain relief occurs immediately after the injection, it can confirm that the SI joint is the source of pain, making this procedure both diagnostic and therapeutic.
What Conditions are Treated with a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
SI joint injections are commonly used to manage conditions such as:
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Lower back pain related to the SI joint
Hip and buttock pain caused by SI joint inflammation
SI joint pain after lumbar spine surgery (failed back surgery syndrome)
Sacroiliitis (inflammation of the SI joint due to arthritis or trauma)
Pregnancy-related SI joint pain
How Should I Prepare for a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
Wear loose clothing to allow easy access to the injection site.
If you are receiving IV sedation, you may need to avoid eating or drinking for several hours before the procedure. IV sedation is rarely needed for this injection.
Blood thinners do not need to be stopped, and no driver is required for this procedure.
What Happens During a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
Patient Positioning: You will lie face down on a treatment table.
Local Anesthesia: A numbing agent is applied to the skin to minimize discomfort.
Fluoroscopic Guidance: Using real-time X-ray (fluoroscopy), Dr. Carrera will carefully guide a thin needle into the sacroiliac joint.
Contrast Dye Injection: A contrast dye may be injected to confirm accurate placement of the medication.
Steroid Injection: A mixture of steroid medication and local anesthetic is injected directly into the SI joint.
Completion: The procedure typically takes 60 seconds.
How Painful is a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
Most patients report mild to moderate discomfort during the procedure. The local anesthetic helps numb the area, but you may feel brief pressure or mild burning as the medication is injected. When performed by Dr. Carrera, patients typically rate the pain between 1 and 4 out of 10.
Dr. Carrera uses exceptionally small needles, even smaller than those used for flu shots, to maximize patient comfort.
What Should I do After a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
Avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours following the procedure.
You may gradually resume normal activities as tolerated, following Dr. Carrera’s recommendations.
Avoid submerging the injection site underwater for two days.
Do not apply a heating pad or ice pack directly to the area for the first 48 hours.
Mild soreness or temporary numbness in the lower back, hip, or buttock is common and typically resolves within a few days.
Dr. Carrera may have you fill out a pain diary to assess the effectiveness of the injection and guide further treatment.
When Will I Experience Pain Relief After a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
Pain relief typically begins one day after the procedure, with full effects noticeable in one week. Some patients experience immediate pain relief due to the local anesthetic, though this effect is temporary.
How Long does a Sacroiliac Joint Injection Provide Pain Relief?
The duration of pain relief varies among patients. Approximately 50–75% of patients experience at least a 50% reduction in pain lasting three months or longer. If sufficient pain relief is not achieved after two weeks, a repeat injection may be recommended, as the effects can be cumulative.
How Often Can I Get a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
You can usually repeat a sacroiliac joint injection every three months, provided you experience at least three months of 50% or greater pain relief. It is recommended to limit steroid injections to five per year across your entire body to avoid potential steroid-related side effects.
Does Insurance cover Sacroiliac Joint Injections?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurers, cover sacroiliac joint injections if the patient meets certain medical criteria. These criteria typically include experiencing pain for at least six weeks and failing conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications. Some insurance companies allow for injections sooner than six weeks.
Insurance providers often require prior authorization before approving the procedure.
Who Can Perform a Sacroiliac Joint Injection Procedure?
Sacroiliac joint injections should be performed by physicians with expertise in spinal procedures, typically interventional pain specialists or physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialists.
Dr. Carrera is double-board certified in interventional pain medicine and PM&R, making him uniquely qualified to perform SI joint injections with precision and safety.
Dr. Carrera performs these injections in an in-office procedure suite, which helps patients save significant costs compared to a surgery center. Additionally, he uses exceptionally small needles, even smaller than those used for flu shots, to maximize patient comfort.
While some offices can take up to six weeks to schedule a sacroiliac joint injection, Dr. Carrera’s team can typically perform the procedure within 2 to 7 days of your initial visit, ensuring timely pain relief.
Should I get a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?
If you are experiencing chronic lower back, hip, or buttock pain and are wondering if a sacroiliac joint injection is the right treatment for you, a consultation with Dr. Carrera and his team can help determine your eligibility.
Patients in Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Denver, and surrounding areas are encouraged to call the office at 720-455-3775 to schedule a visit and learn more.