A sacroiliac injection is an injection of a local anaesthetic and steroid or other medication into a sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joints are located on either side or the sacrum or tailbone. They connect the tailbone to the pelvis.

The steroid injected reduces the inflammation and swelling of tissue in and around the joint space. This may in turn reduce pain, and other symptoms caused by inflammation or irritation of the joint and surrounding structures.

The actual injection takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

The injection consists of a mixture of local anesthetic and a steroid medication. Occasionally, phenol is placed in the injection.

The sacroiliac injection involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues. So, there is some pain involved. However, we numb the skin and deeper tissues with a local anesthetic using a very thin needle before inserting the needle into the joint. Some patients also receive sedation that can make the procedure easier to tolerate.

No. This procedure is done under local anaesthesia. Some patients also choose to receive some sedation, which can make the procedure easier to tolerate. The amount of sedation given generally depends upon the patient tolerance.

It is typically done with the patient lying on the stomach and done under live x-ray. Patients are monitored with EKG, blood pressure cuff and blood oxygen-monitoring device. The skin in the back is cleaned with antiseptic solution and then the skin may be numbed with local anaesthetic. The injection needle is then placed under X-ray guidance. Once in place, the injection is carried out. After the injection, the needle is removed and a Band Aid is applied.

Immediately after the sacroiliac injection, you may feel that your pain may be gone or quite less. This is due to the local anesthetic injected. This will last only for a few hours. Your pain may return and you may have soreness at the injection site for a day or two. This is due to the mechanical process of needle insertion as well as initial irritation from the steroid itself. You should start noticing pain relief starting the 3rd to 5th day or so.

You should take a rest in hospital for few hours to a day. Numbing medicine has its effect on legs so you cannot drive on same day.You should have a ride home because the injection could cause some temporary weakness in the legs if the medication spreads to the sciatic nerve in front of the joint.

All patients receiving sedation must have a ride home. We advise the patients to take it easy for a day or so after the procedure. You may want to apply ice to the affected area. You should perform only those activities you can reasonably tolerate.

Unless there are complications, you should be able to return to your work the next day. The most common thing you may feel is soreness at the injection site.

The immediate effect is usually from the local anesthetic injected. This wears off in a few hours. The steroid starts working in about three to five days and its effect can last for several days to a few months.

If the first injection does not relieve your symptoms in about a week to two weeks, you may be recommended to have one more injection. If you respond to the injections and still have residual pain, you may be recommended for a third injection.