Sacroilitis Pain Relief

Sacroilitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, which connect the pelvis to the lower part of the spine. It is often confused for sciatica or other conditions that cause lower back pain, and can be extremely painful. Controlling the pain is simple, however, and involves anything from over-the-counter and prescription painkillers to simple bed rest.

Causes and Symptoms

• Possible causes of sacroilitis include sudden injury to the area, pregnancy, degenerative arthritis, infection of the joint and spondyloarthropathies, which is an umbrella term for diseases that result in spinal inflammatory arthritis. Sacroilitis can be easily confused for other conditions, so it is best to consult your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: stiffness and pain in the lower back, buttocks or thighs, especially when walking; inflammation in the eyes; psoriasis; the sudden onset of a fever; and limping with radiating pain down the leg.

Medical Treatment

• Treating sacroilitis is focused on the alleviation of pain and the inflammation that characterizes the condition. On the conventional end, simple over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen can be used to treat pain and inflammation; however, excessive use can lead to serious side effects, such as bleeding of the stomach and kidney damage. Short-term pain relief can be found with injections of corticosteroids such as prednisone, the effects of which can last for upwards of several months. They are not recommended for long-term use, however, as they can can cause a thinning of the bones, weight gain and cataracts.

  To combat the condition itself and not just the pain, there are two immediate options: disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs such as sufasalazine, which work by slowing down the progression of the condition and preventing serious joint damage; and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors such as etanercept, which work by blocking cytokine, an agent that promotes inflammation. Given the high cost of these treatments, discuss with your doctor whether their use is necessary.

Lifestyle Treatment

• Your doctor can help you with physical therapy exercises designed to help you retain your range-of-motion and flexibility. Once learned, these can easily be performed at home. Simple resting of the joints can help, as can applying warm compresses to the affected area, which can help provide minor relief for pain and inflammation. Beyond this, if you smoke you should quit, as smoking hinders the proper flow of blood to the inflamed area, which makes the body less capable of combating disease.