Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction is an often-misunderstood cause of lower back, buttock or leg pain. Occurring when the sacroiliac joint—the joint which links your spine to your pelvis—moves abnormally, it can cause discomfort ranging from a dull ache to sharp pain radiating into the groin or thigh. In the UK, many people confuse this with sciatica or lumbar spinal issues, which can delay correct diagnosis and effective treatment.
What Is the Sacroiliac Joint and Why It Matters
The SI joint is situated at the base of the spine, where the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) meets the iliac bones of the pelvis. Unlike most joints, it has very limited motion. Its main role is as a shock absorber for forces transmitted between the upper body and lower limbs. When this joint becomes dysfunctional—either too mobile or too stiff—the result is pain, inflammation and sometimes referred pain into adjacent regions. Proback Advanced Back Care
Because SI joint dysfunction is often secondary to other biomechanical issues, treating symptoms alone is rarely sufficient. A holistic assessment is essential to uncover contributing factors such as posture, leg-length discrepancy, or spinal misalignment.
How Does SI Joint Dysfunction Arise?
There is a variety of causes which can lead to SI joint dysfunction:
- Misalignment in the lumbar spine (lower back) can disrupt the forces and load distribution through the SI joint.
- Overuse of the joint from repetitive movement, heavy lifting, or frequent bending.
- Stretching or damage of the supporting ligaments (e.g. after injury, fall or physical trauma).
- Ligament changes during pregnancy or childbirth can loosen supporting structures, making SI joints more vulnerable.
- Leg-length discrepancies or gait abnormalities, perhaps from ankle, knee issues or even joint wear/arthritis.
- Underlying biomechanical anomalies—such as pelvic tilt, muscle imbalance, or spinal pathology.
Because these factors often compound over time, many cases of SI dysfunction develop gradually, though an acute injury or strain can trigger symptoms in someone already susceptible.
Recognising the Symptoms
SI joint dysfunction can be deceptively similar to other conditions like sciatica or lumbar disc disorders. That’s why diagnosis requires careful clinical assessment. Key symptoms include:
- Pain or aching felt in the buttock, groin or side of the thigh (sometimes extending toward the knee).
- Unlike nerve compression (such as true sciatica), SI dysfunction generally does not cause tingling, numbness or muscle weakness.
- Discomfort may worsen with prolonged standing, walking, climbing stairs or twisting movements.
Because the location of pain overlaps with many spinal and pelvic conditions, it’s common for SI joint dysfunction to be misdiagnosed initially.
Diagnosing SI Joint Dysfunction in the UK
A thorough assessment is vital. A clinician—such as a chiropractor, physiotherapist, osteopath or musculoskeletal specialist—will:
- Take a detailed history, including onset, aggravating/relieving factors and prior injuries.
- Perform physical tests to isolate SI joint stress (e.g. provocative tests for SI joint movement).
- Use imaging (X-ray, MRI or CT) as needed to rule out other spinal or pelvic pathology.
Only once other possibilities (disc bulge, spinal stenosis, hip joint issues, etc.) are excluded can SI joint dysfunction be confidently diagnosed.
Treatment Options: Non-Surgical and Advanced Therapies
The good news is that SI joint dysfunction is often treatable without surgery. The right plan typically combines multiple modalities tailored to the individual. At specialist clinics such as ProBack in London, they offer a range of therapies with reported success rates up to 90 %. Below is a breakdown of common approaches:
1. Conservative/Supportive Methods
- Manual therapy / chiropractic adjustment / mobilisations to correct joint alignment and restore proper biomechanics.
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises to strengthen core, gluteal and pelvic stabilisers, and gradually retrain movement patterns.
- Spinal orthotics or support devices to offload stress while healing occurs.
- Lifestyle modifications: posture correction, weight management, avoiding repetitive strain, and adapting daily activities.
2. Therapeutic Technologies & Modalities
Clinics may use higher-level technologies when “dose and load” therapy is needed:
- Radial shockwave therapy to stimulate tissue repair, reduce pain and improve joint function.
- K-Laser therapy (low-level laser therapy) to promote cellular healing and reduce inflammation in damaged tissues.
- In cases with ligament damage or chronic structural instability, prolotherapy or prolozone treatments may be applied. These approaches aim to encourage ligament strengthening and joint stability through injections that stimulate repair.
At ProBack, they emphasise first identifying whether the SI dysfunction arises from another region (e.g. lumbar misalignment) and treating that underlying cause before focusing purely on the SI joint itself.
What to Expect: Consultations, Costs and Outcomes
In the UK, some specialised clinics charge an assessment/consultation fee (for instance, ProBack offers a full consultation with examination and X-ray (if needed) for around £110). During this session, the clinician will determine the severity, underlying causes, and craft a bespoke treatment protocol.
Outcomes vary depending on chronicity, compliance, and how well the underlying issues are addressed. Many patients achieve significant pain relief and improved mobility. Clinics such as ProBack report up to 90 % success in resolving symptoms of SI dysfunction, especially when treated early and comprehensively. Proback Advanced Back Care
Tips for Recovery & Prevention in the UK Lifestyle
To support your treatment and minimise recurrence risks:
- Adhere diligently to prescribed rehabilitation exercises and gradually increase load.
- Avoid prolonged sitting or standing in one posture—take breaks, move regularly.
- Use ergonomic furniture or sitting supports if your job involves long hours at a desk.
- Focus on good posture, balanced strength training (especially core, glutes, hamstrings) and mobility work.
- Where leg-length discrepancy or gait issues exist, consult a specialist for orthotic inserts or gait correction.
When to Seek Help
If you experience persistent pain in the lower back, buttock or groin (beyond a few weeks), worsening symptoms or interference with day-to-day life, seek assessment from a musculoskeletal specialist. Because SI joint dysfunction often mimics deeper spinal problems, prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Early intervention generally leads to better outcomes.
Conclusion
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, while frequently overlooked, can be a significant cause of lower back and pelvic pain in the UK. Because its symptoms overlap with conditions like sciatica and lumbar disc disease, misdiagnosis is common without a careful evaluation. However, with a targeted approach—combining biomechanical correction, skilled therapy and advanced modalities—many patients can regain normal function and live pain-free.
If you suspect you may have SI joint dysfunction, speaking with a qualified physiotherapist, chiropractor or musculoskeletal clinician is the first step. Early assessment increases the likelihood of successful, non-surgical resolution.