Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain Treatment in St. Louis

Pain in Your Back, Hip, or Groin? It Could Be Your SI Joint.

When nagging tension in your lower spine region turns simple movements into effort, we help you address the unstable sacroiliac joint behind it

What is Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain?

SI joint pain is pain that comes from the sacroiliac joints, which connect your lower spine to your pelvis. It occurs when these joints become irritated, inflamed, or start moving in ways they shouldn’t. This irritation affects how the joints support and stabilize your hips.  As a result, normal movement can place extra stress on the area. The pain is often felt in your lower back, hips, or buttock region.

What’s Causing That Discomfort Around Your Pelvis?

Arthritis or degenerative joint changes

Pregnancy and childbirth (pelvic ligament strain)

Trauma or injury from falls or accidents

Uneven leg length or gait issues

Infection or inflammatory conditions (rare)

Prior lumbar spine surgery

Key Signs You May Have Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Some pains announce themselves; others slip quietly into your routine until you realize you’re moving differently than you used to. SI joint pain often behaves like that, showing up as a deep pull near the base of your back or a stubborn ache around your hip that seems to shift with every step.

If you’ve noticed your body working harder to do the things that once felt automatic, this is where we help you understand what your symptoms mean and support you on a clearer path back to comfortable movement.

Lower back pain that reaches into the hips, buttocks, or thighs
Pain that gets worse with standing or walking
Stiffness or limited movement in the lower back
Discomfort when climbing stairs or getting out of a car
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in severe cases.

How We Accurately Diagnose Your SI Joint Dysfunction

We analyze how your lower back, hips, and pelvis interact, then use focused tests to confirm whether your SI joint is driving your pain. This helps you get a clear diagnosis and the right treatment more quickly.

Review of Symptoms & Physical Exam

We examine how your lower back, hips, and pelvis move, checking for tenderness, instability, and motion patterns that point toward SI joint involvement.

Imaging Tests: X-ray, CT Scan, or MRI

Imaging helps rule out other causes, like disc issues or hip conditions, and provides a clearer view of the structures surrounding the SI joint.

Diagnostic SI Joint Injection

A small, image-guided anesthetic injection is used to temporarily numb the joint. If your pain improves, it confirms the SI joint as the true source.

Our Approach to Back Pain Relief

We don’t jump to extremes. We begin with what makes the most sense for your body, lifestyle, and the root of discomfort.

Non-Surgical Options

We begin with treatments that calm inflammation, improve joint support, and strengthen the muscles that protect the SI joint.

Targeted Medications

Anti-inflammatory or muscle-relaxing medications may be used to ease pain and reduce tension around the joint.

Stabilizing Physical Therapy

Exercises designed to strengthen your core, glutes, and pelvic stabilizers help support the SI joint and improve how the area moves.

Image-Guided SI Joint Injections

A precise injection of anesthetic and/or steroid reduces inflammation inside the joint and can offer significant relief.

Radiofrequency Ablation

For recurring pain, RFA gently disrupts pain-producing nerves around the SI joint, providing longer-lasting comfort.

Surgical Options

If conservative care doesn’t improve your symptoms, surgery may be recommended to stabilize the joint and reduce painful motion.

Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fusion

Small implants or screws are used to secure the joint, restore stability, and limit the abnormal movement causing your pain.

Precision-Guided Techniques

Modern surgical approaches use advanced imaging to ensure accurate placement and reduce tissue disruption.

Clear Expectations & Recovery Planning

We discuss the benefits, potential risks, and expected healing timeline so you know exactly what to expect before and after the procedure.

The Difference You’ll Experience With Our SI Joint Care

Experienced Spine & Nerve Specialists

Your care is led by physicians with advanced training in spine and pelvic disorders, who understand SI joint pain at a highly specialized level.

Advanced, Minimally Invasive Options

We use modern techniques and precision tools to pinpoint issues precisely and deliver care with greater confidence and predictability.

Customized Treatment Plans For SI Joint Cases

We routinely diagnose and treat SI joint conditions that are often overlooked or misidentified elsewhere and deliver treatments that truly match your condition.

Local Care You Can Trust

Patients across St. Louis rely on us because we make the process understandable, supportive, and focused on results.

Your Next Chapter: Recovery at STL Spine Care

What to Expect After Treatment
Healing looks different for everyone. At STL Spine Care, we walk with you through every stage, whether recovery takes weeks after surgery or just days with non-surgical care.
Physical Therapy & Follow-Up Care
We stay by your side with gentle therapy and thoughtful check-ins, making sure you feel supported every step of the way.
Return to Normal Activities
Getting back to the things you love matters most, and we’ll help you do it safely and at your own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SI joint pain heal on its own?

SI joint pain can settle temporarily with rest, but true healing depends on identifying why the joint is irritated or unstable. As specialists in Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain Treatment in St. Louis, we often see that untreated SI joint issues return or worsen over time, so early evaluation is the safest path.

How do I know if my pain is from the SI joint or the spine?

SI joint pain typically stays in the lower back, hip, or buttock, while spine-related nerve pain tends to travel farther down the leg. Because symptoms can overlap, a precise exam by an SI joint pain specialist in St. Louis is the most reliable way to distinguish between the two and avoid misdiagnosis.

What are the non-surgical treatment options?

Non-surgical care is highly effective for most SI joint conditions. Our approach includes stability-focused physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, ultrasound- or fluoroscopy-guided SI joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and targeted bracing.

Is SI joint fusion safe?

Yes. Modern SI joint fusion is a minimally invasive procedure with a strong safety profile and excellent long-term outcomes when your symptoms and imaging clearly show that the joint has become too unstable to respond to conservative care.

How long does recovery take?

Recovery varies by treatment. Non-surgical care often improves symptoms within a few weeks, while minimally invasive fusion typically allows early mobility with gradual strengthening over several months.