Oct 14 2010
Buttock Pain, Sacroiliitis and Back Pain: Are They Related?
If you’re experiencing buttock pain and lower back pain, it’s possible you sacroiliitis. This condition occurs when the sacroiliac joints, connecting the lower spine to the pelvis become inflamed.
Sacroiliitis can be hard to identify. It can easily be mistaken for a strained muscle, herniated disc or sciatica. A disease called spondyloarthropathies is also similar. Spondyloarthropathies causes inflammatory arthritis in the spine.
Someone with sacroiliitis is likely to experience buttock pain, back stiffness,and possibly pain in the thighs. Even small movements can cause discomfort in the buttock area, lower back and possibly even the thighs.
Taking a walk can be painful for someone with this condition because it puts strain on the sacroiliac joints. Limping is common.
There are a lot of different ways to get sacroiliitis. A traumatic injury to the lower back or buttock area is a frequent cause. Being pregnant will stretch the pelvis, which can result in sacroiliitis. Certain types of infections may also be responsible. As mentioned above, arthritis associated with spondyloarthropathies can be another cause.
Anyone who has sacroiliitis has a number of different treatment options to consider. The appropriate treatment usually depends on severity.
Rest is appropriate in all cases. Your body needs time to heal itself. Rest also reduces the possibility of aggravation.
Physical therapy can help.
Doctors generally recommend a number of medications in treating sacroiliitis. Typically, these medications include corticosteroids, NSAIDs, DMARDs and TNF inhibitors.
Corticosteroids relieve pain and inflammation. They also slow joint damage, but shouldn’t be used for extended periods of time or they can cause serious side effects.
NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also extremely effective for relieving pain by reducing swelling and inflammation. These drugs have been known to cause side effects, including stomach bleeding, indigestion, high blood pressure and kidney and liver damage.
Some people are more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack when they take NSAIDs, so always consult your doctor first.
Typical NSAIDs your doctor may recommend include naproxen and indomethacin.
DMARDs are another type of medication used for treating sacroiliitis. DMARD stands for disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. They work to limit joint damage. These should be used in the early stages of sacroiliitis to help slow down the disease and prevent permanent damage.
Finally, there’s a class of drugs known as TNF inhibitors. These block a cell protein that can cause inflammation, which can help reduce some of the stiffness, swelling and pain.
Unfortunately, some of the medications used to reduce the discomfort of sacroiliitis are very expensive. Doctors and patients often choose to use them only when all other treatment options have failed.
However, sometimes buttock pain and back pain caused by sacroiliitis can be so severe that patients feel the the expense is justified.
Many people who experience aches and pains as they get older simply assume such pains are a natural part of growing older. This can be a dangerous assumption. Anyone experiencing any type of back pain or buttock pain, especially sacroiliitis should see their medical professional for a diagnosis.
Like so many other disorders, sacroiliitis is easier to treat in the beginning before permanent joint damage occurs.
[resource]Related topics: sacroiliitis causes and buttock pain from sciatica. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV and radio talk show host. To read more of his articles, click on coping with buttock pain.No related posts.
