What is a sacroiliac joint injection?

Sacroiliac joints are joints that join the lowest part of the spine, the sacrum to the pelvis. There is one on each side. They help to support weight and act as a suspension when walking. The joints can become inflamed causing pain. A steroid injection into the sacroiliac joints can help to relieve the pain by reducing the inflammation.

What does it involve?

You will be lying on your front for the procedure, which usually takes 10-20 minutes. Local anaesthetic is injected into the skin and a fine needle is passed toward the joint under X-ray guidance. 
Once the needle is confirmed to be in the joint, the steroid and local anaesthetic will be injected. 

How does it work?

The injection is used primarily to diagnose the source of your pain. The local anaesthetic numbs the joint so if the sacroiliac joint is the source of pain, you should experience significant pain relief within 15 minutes of the injection, which may last for a few hours.

If the sacroiliac joint is a source of pain, then there may be some prolonged pain relief from the steroid which may last over 6 months. More often the pain returns within days, weeks or a few months after the procedure in which case you may undergo a potentially longer lasting treatments such as Radiofrequency Denervation. (Rhizolysis).

Risks and side effects

Due to the procedure:

• Infection – rare.
• Possible discomfort for the first few days after your injection.
• Bruising to the injection area.
• Leg numbness and weakness are very rare side effects.
• Temporary difficulty taking weight through the injected side.
• Allergy to injected medication

Due to the injected steroid:

• Facial flushing for a few days.
• Temporary alteration of your usual menstrual cycle (females).
• Temporary increase in your sugar levels (diabetics)

Other risks:

Soft tissue injury, toxicity, weak legs, weak arms, vasovagal attacks, blindness

What happens on the day of my appointment?

• Please arrive at the Outpatients Department no more than 10 minutes before your appointment time.    
• Take any medication as normal unless advised otherwise. Bring a list of your tablets with you.
• You can eat and drink normally before arriving.
• You will be admitted to the OPD Injection Suite and will be assessed by a member of the clinical team. This is to make sure you are fit and ready for the injection. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions at this stage.
• The doctor carrying out your injection will also see you before your procedure. 

After the injection

After you have had your procedure, you will need to stay with us for a short period of time. You must not drive home or go home on public transport; please arrange for someone to collect you or arrange a taxi.

Back at home

• Take things easy for the rest of the day.
• Do not do any excessive exercise or heavy work for the first few days.
• Remove the dressing the next morning.

Who do I contact if I have any problems following the procedure?

From 9am – 4pm you can call the OPD Injection Suite on 0121 685 4000 extension 55814 or contact the secretary for the clinician you are under. Outside these hours contact the bleep holder through switchboard at the ROH: 0121 685 4000).

Important information

• Please inform the Outpatients Injection if you are diabetic, have a cough or cold or have any kind of infection.
• You must inform us if you are taking any of the following tablets – antibiotics, aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel or any other blood thinning medication before attending as some of these may need to be stopped some days before.

Your procedure may be cancelled if you do not inform us of the above before your appointment date. If you cannot make your appointment date, you must let the care coordinator know as soon as possible on 0121 827 3835, Mon-Fri 8.30pm-4.00pm.

Information for females

We will need to know the start date of your last menstrual period due to the use of X-ray equipment. If you think you might be pregnant, contact the care coordinator for advice.

Useful contact numbers

PALS - 0121 685 4128
Care Coordinator - 0121 827 3835
OPD Injection Suite - 0121 685 4000 extension 55814