Sacroiliac Joint Injection and Radiofrequency Ablation of the Sacroiliac Joint
Sacroiliac Joint Injection:
The Sacroiliac Joint Injection is used for the treatment of the SI joint pain that arises from degenerative or traumatic changes. The SI injection can be used for a diagnostic purpose or for pain relief. If used to diagnosis the problem area, only lidocaine is injected into the joins space. If the SI injection is being used for pain relief and reduction of inflammation in the SI joint than steroid is injected with the lidocaine.
How does the Sacroiliac Joint injection relieve my Pain?
The SI injection relieves pain by reducing the inflammation in the SI joint space. That inflammation can cause stenosis around the nerve roots causing sciatica and extreme pain in the low back or buttocks region.
Radiofrequency Ablation of the Sacroiliac Joint:
A Radiofrequency Ablation or RFA is a minimally invasive procedure that can help manage and provide lasting relief to multiple pain syndromes, the most common of these is arthritic facet joints. The RFA is very safe and can be used for the Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar parts of the spine. The RFA is a technique that uses heat to disable sensory nerves which are the pain-transmitting nerves in the spine. When the heat is applied it shuts off the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Dr. Ashraf Hanna performs an RFA of the sacroiliac joint.
What Can I expect during and after the Sacroiliac Joint injection / RFA procedure?
During:
- The procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes
- The patient lies flat on his/her abdomen
- The area of the injection is cleaned and numbed with lidocaine
- The patient is put under with a light sedation
- Using live X-Ray (fluoroscopy) for guidance, the physician inserts a needle in the Sacroiliac joint space
- Once placement is confirmed, the anesthetic and steroid are injected.
After:
- The patient is usually monitored for 15-30 minutes before being discharged.
- The patient must have a driver
- Patients are usually asked to rest the day of the injection / RFA
- Normal activities can be typically resumed within 24-48 hours following the injection / RFA
- Steroids can take up to 24-36 hours to become effective.