Sacroiliac Join Injection
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injections in Fort Collins, CO
If you’re struggling with pain in your lower back, hips, or buttocks that hasn’t improved with conservative care, your sacroiliac joint may be to blame. At Square One Health, we offer Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Injections to help patients find fast, targeted relief while also identifying the true source of their discomfort.
These minimally invasive injections reduce inflammation within the SI joint—restoring comfort, improving mobility, and allowing you to move forward with your healing.
What Is the Sacroiliac Joint?
The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the base of your spine (the sacrum) to your pelvic bones (the ilia). These joints help transfer weight from your upper body to your legs and play a critical role in stability and motion.
When the SI joints become inflamed or irritated—due to injury, pregnancy, arthritis, or abnormal movement—they can cause deep, aching pain in the lower back, hips, or even down the legs. This condition is known as sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Because SI joint pain often mimics other conditions like sciatica or disc issues, it can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for months or even years.
What Are Sacroiliac Joint Injections?
SI joint injections are image-guided procedures that deliver a powerful anti-inflammatory medication—typically a corticosteroid—directly into the sacroiliac joint. These injections serve two key purposes:
- Diagnostic– If the injection provides significant pain relief, it confirms the SI joint as the source of the pain.
- Therapeutic– The corticosteroid reduces inflammation and swelling, which helps relieve pain and improve mobility.
At Square One Health, we use SI joint injections as part of a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary treatment plan that may include chiropractic care, physical rehabilitation, and long-term spinal correction.
Signs You May Need an SI Joint Injection
SI joint dysfunction can present in a variety of ways, and it’s often mistaken for other spinal or muscular issues. You may benefit from an SI joint injection if you experience:
- Pain on one or both sides of the lower back or pelvis
- Pain that worsens when sitting, standing, or climbing stairs
- Discomfort while lying on your side or getting out of bed
- Aching, burning, or shooting pain that travels into the buttocks or thighs
- Limited range of motion in the hips or low back
- Pain during pregnancy or after childbirth
If conservative treatments like physical therapy or chiropractic care haven’t resolved your pain, SI joint injections may provide both clarity and relief.
What to Expect During the Procedure
SI joint injections are safe, quick, and typically performed under fluoroscopic (X-ray) or ultrasound guidance for maximum precision. Here’s what a typical visit looks like:
1. Consultation and Imaging
We start with a comprehensive consultation to review your symptoms, movement patterns, and any imaging you’ve had. If SI joint dysfunction is suspected, we may recommend diagnostic testing to rule out other causes.
2. Preparation and Positioning
You’ll lie face down on a comfortable treatment table. The skin around the injection site is cleansed, and a local anesthetic is applied to minimize any discomfort.
3. Guided Injection
Using imaging for accuracy, the provider carefully inserts a thin needle into the SI joint and administers a corticosteroid and anesthetic blend.
4. Post-Treatment Monitoring
You may experience immediate relief from the local anesthetic, followed by gradual improvement as the steroid reduces inflammation over the next few days.
Most patients can walk out of the office and resume light activity the same day, though some mild soreness at the injection site is normal.
Benefits of SI Joint Injections
When used appropriately, SI joint injections can provide both short- and long-term benefits:
- Rapid reduction in pain and inflammation
- Improved mobility and function
- More accurate diagnosis of SI joint dysfunction
- Better results from rehab and corrective therapies
- Minimally invasive with little to no downtime
For many patients, SI joint injections provide the breakthrough they need to finally move forward with healing and resume their normal activities.
Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Relief
If you’ve been dealing with persistent low back, pelvic, or hip pain that hasn’t improved with traditional care, it’s time to explore a more targeted approach. At Square One Health in Fort Collins, we offer SI joint injections as part of a broader strategy to relieve pain, restore function, and help you reclaim your life—naturally and safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients experience relief within a few days. Results may last weeks to several months, depending on the severity of inflammation and lifestyle factors.
Yes. Injections can be repeated periodically if needed. However, they are typically combined with corrective therapies to prevent the need for ongoing injections.
In many cases, yes. The injection relieves inflammation, but it doesn’t correct the underlying joint instability or misalignment. Our team will guide you through a long-term plan that includes chiropractic adjustments, movement retraining, and strengthening exercises.
In many cases, yes—especially when deemed medically necessary and performed by an approved provider. Our team can help you understand your benefits and any associated costs.
Most patients tolerate the injection well. You may feel a brief pinch or pressure during the procedure, but the local anesthetic helps minimize discomfort.
The goal of the ScoliBrace is to prevent the need for surgery by stabilizing and reducing the progression of the scoliosis curve. However, surgery may be considered if the curvature progresses beyond certain thresholds.