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The sacroiliac joint is a large joint that is formed by the ilium and the sacrum.  When the joint becomes painful, it can cause pain in its immediate region or it can refer into your groin, abdomen, hip, buttock, or legs.

What are the blocks for the sacroiliac joint?
In the diagnostic blocks for sacroiliac joints, local anesthetic is used to numb the joint.  If the pain in the area is relieved after the procedure it means the sacroiliac joint is the source of pain.  In a therapeutic block, corticosteroid is injected in the joint with the purpose of achieving long term relief.

How long does the procedure take?
Depending upon the number of joints being blocked, it may take up to 15 minutes.

How is the procedure performed?
The procedure is done as an outpatient at our surgical suite under fluoroscopy (live X-ray guidance).  An IV is started and you will receive sedation through the IV before and during the procedure.  If needed, a local anesthetic (like Xylocaine) is injected into the skin and tissues below, prior to the placement of the needle for the SI joint injection.  Proper position of the needle is confirmed by injecting a special dye.  We will not use dye if you are allergic to it.  After confirming the needle location, we will inject the local anesthetic and steroid solution.

I am afraid of needles.  Will I have a lot of pain?
Your physician at Midwest Pain Treatment Center will do everything possible to do the procedure with minimal, if any, pain.  As explained above, you will be given sedation intravenously and numbing medication (local anesthetic) at the site of the needle placement.

Can I be sedated for the procedure?
Yes.  You might be awake but usually very comfortable during the procedure.  On occasion we will need to interact with you.  It is most likely that you will have no memory of the actual procedure.  You are required to have a driver remain in the facility before and during the procedure, then drive you home following the procedure.

What should I expect after the procedure?
If the source of your pain is coming from these joints, you should have pain relief for a period of two to four hours after the injection.  On occasion, you may feel numb or somewhat weak in your leg for a few hours following the procedure.  This is due to the local anesthetic that was used during the procedure and should go away after a couple of hours.  Sometimes your pain may get slightly worse as the local anesthetic wears off before the corticosteroid becomes effective.

What should I do after the procedure?
After the procedure, you will be required to have someone drive you home.  You should try to reproduce your pain immediately following the injection and for a couple of hours thereafter.  You will need to record how you feel and bring this with you to your follow up visit.  The next day you should be able to resume your normal daily activities that you were doing prior to the procedure.

Can I go to work the next day?
If you are working prior to the procedure, you can go back to work the following day.  If you are not working prior to the procedure, due to the pain and other problems, you should discuss this with your physician at Midwest Pain Treatment Center for further instructions.

How should I prepare for the procedure?
Unless otherwise instructed, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight before the procedure.  You can take all of your medications except oral diabetic meds with a sip of water the morning of the procedure.  Diabetics, please discuss with your physician regarding your diabetic medications.  Also, check your FSBS at home the morning of your procedure.