A Pain in the Butt: SI Joint Dysfunction

Buttock pain may stem from a sacroiliac joint (SI) problem. The SI joint is the joint on each side of the body where the sacrum connects to the iliac bone (the large bone of the pelvis).

These joints work hard—they support the whole weight of the upper body when you are running, walking, or just standing up.

Some causes of SI joint pain include:

 

• Degenerative arthritis: When the cartilage covering the joint wears away and the bones rub together.
• Pregnancy: Hormones released during pregnancy cause the ligaments surrounding the SI joint to relax in preparation for labor, but these loose ligaments can promote abnormal wear and tear on the SI joint.
• Biomechanical problems: Anything that alters a normal walking pattern can cause SI joint pain, such as having one leg shorter than the other, or favoring one leg over the other due to an injury in the hip, knee, ankle, or foot.

An expert in physical therapy can be especially helpful for relieving SI pain because the pain is often caused by excessive or insufficient movement in the joint.

 

Get the help you need. Use our free clinician finder to locate a clinician in your area.