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SI Joint Injection

SI Joint Injection for Low Back and Pelvic Pain

Sacroiliac (SI) joint injections are image-guided procedures used to diagnose and relieve pain originating from the sacroiliac joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis. Dysfunction or inflammation of this joint is a common but often overlooked cause of lower back and buttock pain.

At Motionis Medicine, SI joint injections are performed as part of a physician-led, diagnosis-first approach using advanced imaging for precision and safety.

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Understanding the Procedure

WHAT IS AN SI JOINT INJECTION?

The sacroiliac joints sit on either side of the lower spine and play an important role in transferring forces between the upper body and legs. When these joints become inflamed or unstable, they can cause persistent pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or groin.

An SI joint injection involves delivering a local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication directly into the joint to:

  • Reduce inflammation

  • Decrease pain signals

  • Improve mobility and tolerance for activity

  • Help confirm whether the SI joint is the primary pain source

SI joint injections may be used for diagnostic purposes, therapeutic relief, or both.

When Is This Treatment Used?

CONDITIONS TREATED WITH SI JOINT INJECTIONS

SI joint injections are most often used when pain is suspected to originate from the sacroiliac joint, commonly associated with conditions such as:

SI joint pain often worsens with standing, walking, climbing stairs, or transitioning from sitting to standing.

What to Expect

HOW SI JOINT INJECTIONS ARE PERFORMED

SI joint injections are performed using real-time image guidance to ensure accurate access to the sacroiliac joint, which is located deep within the pelvis and cannot be reliably targeted without imaging. On the day of the procedure:

  1. Patient Positioning

    Patients are positioned to allow safe access to the SI joint

  2. Local Anesthesia

    The skin is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.

  3. Image Guidance

    Fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance is used to identify the joint anatomy

  4. Targeted Injection

    Medication is carefully delivered into the sacroiliac joint

  5. Recovery Monitoring

    Patients are monitored briefly before discharge.

The procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes, and most patients return home the same day.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Use

ROLE OF SI JOINT INJECTIONS IN PAIN MANAGEMENT

SI joint injections may serve both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, depending on how they are used within a patient’s care plan.

  • Diagnostic role

    Because SI joint pain can mimic other spine or hip conditions, temporary pain relief following an injection helps confirm the sacroiliac joint as a contributor to symptoms.

  • Therapeutic role

    Anti-inflammatory medication delivered into the joint may reduce pain and improve function, sometimes for weeks or longer.

When diagnostic relief is meaningful but temporary, additional treatment options may be considered as part of a structured, non-surgical pain management strategy.

Precision and Accuracy

IMAGE GUIDANCE & SAFETY

Image guidance allows the physician to:

  • Confirm correct needle placement within the joint

  • Avoid nearby nerves and blood vessels

  • Deliver medication precisely to the targeted structure

This approach reflects modern standards in interventional spine and pelvic care.

Physician Expertise

PHYSICIAN EXPERTISE

Portrait of Doctor Tanuj Palvia, M.D., board-certified interventional pain physician

All SI joint injections at Motionis Medicine are performed by Dr. Tanuj Palvia, MD, a board-certified interventional pain medicine physician with advanced training in image-guided spine and joint procedures.

Dr. Palvia personally evaluates each patient and determines whether an SI joint injection is appropriate as part of a comprehensive, non-surgical treatment plan.

Learn more about Dr. Palvia
RESULTS & EXPECTATIONS

What Outcomes Can Patients Expect?

Response to SI joint injections varies depending on the underlying cause of pain. Patients may experience:

  • Temporary or sustained pain relief

  • Improved mobility and tolerance for activity

  • Better ability to participate in rehabilitation

SI joint injections are not curative but can play an important role in diagnosis and symptom management.

RELATED TREATMENTS

Depending on diagnosis and response, SI joint injections may be combined with or followed by:

NON-SURGICAL SPINE CARE OPTIONS & PELVIC CARE OPTIONS

Broader Clinical Approaches

SI joint injections may be part of a broader non-surgical care strategy that includes:

FAQ'S

Frequently Asked Questions

Relief may last weeks to months, depending on the underlying condition.

Most patients tolerate the procedure well. Local anesthetic and comfort measures are used.

It can serve both roles, depending on how it is used in your treatment plan.

In some cases, they may delay or avoid surgery, but outcomes vary.

Schedule a Spine & Pelvic Evaluation

If lower back or pelvic pain is affecting your daily activities, a comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether an SI joint injection is appropriate.

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