What is SI joints and why your back and hips pain are truly the SI joints pain?
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Knee pain could be the first sign of a hip pathology! I had a similar experience when I practiced as an ER physician years ago. In that case, an MRI of the hip joint confirmed the diagnosis. Next time your kid reports knee pain, you should ask your pediatric doctor or your physical therapist about the hip.
Today I want to share with you another phenomenon I observed in the last 8 years practice. Some patients with a DX of hip pain or back pain are genuinely pain in the SI joint.
My 4 years old son had left knee pain after a near falling accident in the Explora. After a brief exam, I did not find any problems with the knee, so I turned my attention to the hip. He had some difficulty of left hip extension with a very slightly posterior tilt of the left pelvis. I worked on the hip joint with hip extension and mild~moderate anterior tilt of the left pelvis in the prone position. He started to giggle and fight against the mobilization and ended up with a mild popping of the left SI joint. He then was able to walk, jump and do all kinds of crazy motions.
Knee pain could be the first sign of a hip pathology! I had a similar experience when I practiced as an ER physician years ago. In that case, an MRI of the hip joint confirmed the diagnosis. Next time your kid reports knee pain, you should ask your pediatric doctor or your physical therapist about the hip.
Today I want to share with you another phenomenon I observed in the last 8 years practice. Some patients with a DX of hip pain or back pain are genuinely pain in the SI joint.
What is SI joint?
SI joint (SIJ) is the joint between the sacrum and the ilium bones of the pelvis. The human body has 2 SI joints, and they are connected by strong ligaments to support the body weight in the upright position, especially with single leg standing or quick motions such as jogging or jumping.
What might contribute to the SI joint irritation?
When the surrounding pelvic floor muscles, deep paraspinal muscles, and hips muscles are doing a good job, or your body is doing heavy duty tasks that the external loading might be way above the capacity of the muscles groups, more loading might be pushed into the SI joint and cause more irritation and pain.
What and how to deal with the SI joint pain?
1. Use the muscles instead of the joints/ligaments to lower the loading to the SI joint.
2. Understand the timing of muscles engagement for better dynamic stability.
3. Pay attention to your habit of posture in sitting, standing and sleeping for better static stability.
4. Once your pain was controlled with less frequency and lower intensity, it is time to challenge your pelvis and hips muscles into functional training---whatever your goals are.
Some compensations need to be considered before blaming the SI joints as the source of the pain:
1. Knee pain is genuinely from the hip problem.
2. Legs length difference might come from the hips/SI joint
3. The weakness of core muscles will increase the loading to the SI joint and/or hip joints--arthritis will develop very quickly.
4. Knees and ankles alignment during the exercises or sports activities might put the majority of the weight into one of the SI joints. (Left side or right side, depends on your habit.) Overusing of one joint increase the risk of the pain.
5. Lumbar spine pathology might develop a pain radiating to the hips and SI joints.
Patients with the SI joints pain are more likely to have other problems in the legs or low back. A thorough examination of the lumbar, pelvis, hips, knees and ankles will help to identify the source of the symptoms.
*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources for educational purpose. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you read on this topic. For more info or service of physical therapy in Albuquerque, please visit www.PTcares.com.
2. Understand the timing of muscles engagement for better dynamic stability.
3. Pay attention to your habit of posture in sitting, standing and sleeping for better static stability.
4. Once your pain was controlled with less frequency and lower intensity, it is time to challenge your pelvis and hips muscles into functional training---whatever your goals are.
Some compensations need to be considered before blaming the SI joints as the source of the pain:
1. Knee pain is genuinely from the hip problem.
2. Legs length difference might come from the hips/SI joint
3. The weakness of core muscles will increase the loading to the SI joint and/or hip joints--arthritis will develop very quickly.
4. Knees and ankles alignment during the exercises or sports activities might put the majority of the weight into one of the SI joints. (Left side or right side, depends on your habit.) Overusing of one joint increase the risk of the pain.
5. Lumbar spine pathology might develop a pain radiating to the hips and SI joints.
Patients with the SI joints pain are more likely to have other problems in the legs or low back. A thorough examination of the lumbar, pelvis, hips, knees and ankles will help to identify the source of the symptoms.
*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources for educational purpose. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you read on this topic. For more info or service of physical therapy in Albuquerque, please visit www.PTcares.com.
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