SARCROILIAC STRAIN

 Located on either side of your spine at the very bottom of the back’ the sacroiliac joints link your sacrum (the fused bones at the base of your spine) to your hip bones’ forming the rear part of your pelvic girdle. They allow the twisting movements of your legs when you walk or run. Problems arise when they either become “locked”, restricting movement, or too mobile.

CAUSES

Sacroiliac strain is usually the result of a sudden impact, such as a heavy blow or fall, which damages the ligamentssupporting the joint. Sudden, unexpected twisting or bending movements, where your muscles are unprepared is absorbed by the ligaments, can have the same effect. Mechanical charges in these joints may also over a period of time due to an imbalanced used of surrounding muscles, abnormalities (such as a slight difference in leg length), orosteoarthritis. Strained ligaments lead to loosening of the joints, making them more mobile. It is also common for pregnant women. To suffer from hyper mobile sacroiliac joints, because of hormonal changes that soften and slacken the ligaments of the pelvis in preparation for giving birth.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

You will feel a sharp pain in the upper inner part of your buttock when you put your foot down, making walking or running very uncomfortable. There will also be dull pain radiating deep into your lower buttock; sometimes you will also experience referred pain in your legs. Movement of your leg may be restricted, which will also make walking difficult. Your doctor may use MRI scans or X-rays  to identify any inflammation cause of your symptoms. If inflammation is present, you may be given a blood test to check if this is being caused by an infection.

RISKS AND RECOVERY

If you sit still or lie down for a long time, you may feel stiffness and immobility. Ligaments take longer to heal than fractured bone, and may fail to heal completely