Sacroiliac Joint Injections: Treatment, Benefits, Procedure, Recovery and Cost

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Sacroiliac joint pain can cause persistent discomfort in the lower back, buttocks, hip or upper thigh. Because these symptoms can resemble other conditions such as sciatica, identifying the actual source of pain is important before deciding on treatment.

Sacroiliac joint injections, also known as SI joint injections, are a minimally invasive treatment that can be used both to help diagnose sacroiliac joint pain and to provide symptom relief. The injection is delivered directly into the sacroiliac joint under image guidance and contains a local anaesthetic combined with anti inflammatory medication.

At Renew Skin and Health Clinic in Leamington Spa, SI joint injections are assessed and performed by Mr Amit, Consultant Neurosurgeon, GMC 6047850, who has over 25 years of experience. Treatment starts from £650, with the exact cost confirmed following consultation and assessment.

What Are the Sacroiliac Joints?

The sacroiliac joints are located on either side of the lower spine, where the sacrum joins the pelvis. These joints help transfer the weight of the upper body to the legs and provide stability during activities such as walking, standing and climbing stairs.

When an SI joint becomes irritated, inflamed or unstable, pain may develop around the lower back and pelvis. Some people feel the discomfort mainly in one buttock, while others experience pain around the hip or upper thigh.

Because several different conditions can produce similar symptoms, a clinical assessment is important before treatment.

What Are Sacroiliac Joint Injections Used For?

SI joint injections have two potential purposes.

First, they can be diagnostic. If the injection produces significant temporary pain relief, this can provide useful evidence that the sacroiliac joint is contributing to the patient's symptoms.

Second, the injection can be therapeutic. The anti inflammatory medication may reduce inflammation and provide pain relief, potentially making everyday movement and rehabilitation more comfortable.

The duration of relief varies between individuals. Some patients may experience relief for weeks or months, while others may receive little or no benefit. Your consultant should explain the likely benefits and alternatives before treatment.

What Causes Sacroiliac Joint Pain?

There are several possible causes of SI joint pain. These include:

• Pregnancy and childbirth
  
• Degenerative changes and osteoarthritis
  
• Previous injury or trauma
  
• Changes in walking pattern or biomechanics
  
• Leg length differences
  
• Previous spinal fusion surgery
  
• Inflammatory conditions such as sacroiliitis
  

During pregnancy, hormonal changes can loosen the ligaments around the pelvis while the additional mechanical load can place greater stress on the SI joints.
An injury, such as a fall or significant impact, can also affect the joint and lead to ongoing discomfort.

Symptoms of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The symptoms of SI joint dysfunction can vary from person to person.
Common symptoms may include:

• Pain in the lower back
  
• Pain that is worse on one side
  
• Discomfort in the buttock
  
• Pain extending towards the hip or upper thigh
  
• Pain that becomes worse after prolonged sitting or standing
  
• Discomfort when climbing stairs
  
• Stiffness around the lower back and pelvis
  
• A feeling of pelvic or lower back instability
  

Symptoms alone cannot confirm that the SI joint is responsible for the pain. A specialist assessment may be needed to determine the likely source before proceeding with an injection.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain vs Sciatica

Sacroiliac joint pain and sciatica can sometimes feel similar, but they have different underlying causes.

SI joint pain originates from the sacroiliac joint and commonly affects the lower back, buttock and upper thigh. Sciatica is generally associated with irritation or compression of a nerve root in the lower spine and may cause pain travelling down the leg.

Numbness and tingling are more commonly associated with nerve-related conditions such as sciatica, while SI joint pain is more often centred around the lower back and buttock.

Because symptoms can overlap, it is important not to assume that all lower back or leg pain is caused by the SI joint. Accurate diagnosis helps determine whether sacroiliac joint injections are an appropriate treatment.

Who May Be Suitable for SI Joint Injections?

SI joint injections may be considered when pain is persistent and conservative approaches have not provided sufficient relief.
Before treatment, the consultant will review your symptoms, medical history and any existing imaging. An MRI scan may be preferred but is not always essential. If further imaging is considered necessary, the consultant will advise you before treatment. Renew Skin and Health Clinic does not have an MRI scanner on site.
An injection may not be suitable for everyone. Your consultant will need to know if you have an active infection, take blood thinning medication, have an allergy to local anaesthetic or steroid medication, are pregnant or have poorly controlled diabetes.

What Happens During a Sacroiliac Joint Injection?

At Renew Skin and Health Clinic, the treatment process begins with a consultation with Mr Amit.

The typical process includes:

1. Consultation: Your symptoms, medical history and previous investigations are reviewed.
   
2. Assessment: The consultant determines whether the SI joint is a likely source of your pain.
   
3. Imaging review: Existing scans can be reviewed and further imaging may be recommended if required.
   
4. Treatment planning: The procedure and expected costs are discussed before treatment.
   
5. Injection: The SI joint injection is performed under image guidance using local anaesthetic and anti inflammatory medication.
   
6. Aftercare: Written aftercare advice is provided following the procedure.
   

The procedure usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes and is performed as a same day treatment without an overnight hospital stay.

Sacroiliac Joint Injection Aftercare

Following an SI joint injection, some temporary soreness around the injection site can occur.

Patients are generally advised to rest and avoid strenuous activity during the first 24 hours. Gentle movement can usually be introduced, while heavy lifting and high impact exercise should be avoided for the first few days unless your clinician advises otherwise.

A gradual return to exercise or physiotherapy may be recommended. Your consultant will provide individual aftercare instructions based on your circumstances.
If you develop increasing pain, fever or signs of infection following treatment, contact your healthcare professional promptly.

How Much Do Sacroiliac Joint Injections Cost?

The sacroiliac joint injection cost depends on whether one or both joints require treatment and your individual clinical assessment. At Renew Skin and Health Clinic, a consultation with Mr Amit costs £300, while an SI joint injection for one side costs £650 and injections for both sides cost £795. The one side treatment includes the consultation, diagnostic ultrasound, guided injection and written report. If you proceed with treatment on the same day, the £300 consultation fee is credited in full against the treatment cost. One follow up consultation is free, with subsequent follow ups costing £150. MRI scans, nerve conduction studies, EMG investigations and take home medication are not included in these prices. Flexible 0% finance options are also available, subject to approval and applicable terms and conditions.

How Long Does an SI Joint Injection Last?

There is no fixed duration of relief following a sacroiliac joint injection.

The anti inflammatory medication may provide relief for weeks or months, but individual responses differ. Some patients experience meaningful improvement, while others may have limited or temporary benefit.

An injection is therefore not guaranteed to eliminate pain permanently. Your consultant can discuss the expected outcome and alternative treatment options based on your diagnosis.

Does Sacroiliac Joint Pain Go Away on Its Own?

In some cases, mild SI joint irritation can settle with time, rest, physiotherapy and changes to activities that aggravate the joint.

However, persistent symptoms may continue when there is an underlying biomechanical problem, inflammation, degenerative change or previous injury.

If pain is affecting your daily activities or has not improved with conservative management, a specialist assessment can help establish the cause and determine whether treatment such as an SI joint injection may be appropriate.

Why Choose Renew Skin and Health Clinic?

Renew Skin and Health Clinic provides private SI joint injection treatment in Leamington Spa under the care of Mr Amit, Consultant Neurosurgeon.
The clinic's treatment pathway includes:

• Consultant led assessment and treatment
  
• Image guided SI joint injections
  
• Same day treatment
  
• Clear treatment pricing
  
• Written aftercare guidance
  
• Follow up support
  
• Flexible 0% finance options, subject to status and approval
  

The clinic serves patients from Leamington Spa, Coventry, Birmingham, Rugby, Stratford upon Avon and surrounding areas across Warwickshire and the Midlands.

When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Advice?

Not all back or pelvic pain should be treated as routine SI joint pain.

You should seek urgent medical attention if you experience symptoms such as loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the back passage, rapidly worsening weakness in an arm or leg, fever accompanied by severe back pain or a sudden severe headache unlike previous headaches.

These symptoms require urgent assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are sacroiliac joint injections?
Sacroiliac joint injections are minimally invasive injections delivered directly into the SI joint under image guidance. They combine local anaesthetic with anti inflammatory medication and may be used to help diagnose and treat SI joint pain.

2. Are SI joint injections painful?
Local anaesthetic is used during the procedure to improve comfort. Some temporary soreness at the injection site can occur afterwards.

3. How long does a sacroiliac joint injection take?
The procedure generally takes around 20 to 30 minutes and is performed as a same day treatment.

4. How long do sacroiliac joint injections last?
The duration of pain relief varies. Some patients may experience relief for weeks or months, while others may receive limited benefit.

5. Can you walk after an SI joint injection?
Gentle movement is generally encouraged, but strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided initially. Your consultant will provide personalised advice about returning to normal activities.

6. Are SI joint injections the same as treatment for sciatica?
No. SI joint pain originates from the sacroiliac joint, whereas sciatica is generally associated with irritation or compression of a nerve in the lower spine. A specialist assessment can help distinguish between them.

7. What does a sacroiliac joint injection cost?
At Renew Skin and Health Clinic, treatment starts from £650 for one side and £795 for both sides. A consultation with Mr Amit is £300, with the consultation fee credited against treatment when treatment proceeds on the same day.

8. Do I need an MRI before an SI joint injection?
Not necessarily. An MRI may be preferred but is not always essential. Your consultant will determine whether imaging is required based on your symptoms and assessment.

9. Can both SI joints be injected on the same day?
Yes. Where clinically appropriate, both sides can be treated during the same appointment. The listed price for both sides is £795.

10. What happens if an SI joint injection does not work?
If an injection provides little or no relief, your consultant can review the diagnosis and discuss alternative treatment options. Pain procedures are not guaranteed to work, so accurate assessment before treatment is important.

Conclusion

Sacroiliac joint pain can be difficult to distinguish from other causes of lower back, buttock and leg discomfort. Sacroiliac joint injections can have an important diagnostic and therapeutic role for appropriately selected patients, helping to establish whether the SI joint is contributing to pain while potentially providing temporary relief.

Treatment should always follow an appropriate clinical assessment. At Renew Skin and Health Clinic in Leamington Spa, SI joint injections are performed by Mr Amit, Consultant Neurosurgeon, with treatment plans tailored to each patient's symptoms and clinical findings.

If you have persistent pain around your lower back, buttock, pelvis or hip and conservative treatment has not provided sufficient relief, a specialist consultation can help determine whether an SI joint injection is suitable for you.