Sacroiliitis Buttock Pain: Causes, Treatment Options And Medications

by feedme on October 29, 2010

You may have never heard of a condition called sacroiliitis. But if you’re experiencing buttock pain, or pain in your lower back, sacroiliitis may be the reason.

Sacroiliitis can be hard for your doctor to diagnose. The symptoms are similar to other problems that cause back pain, such as sciatic nerve damage, a herniated disk, or a pulled or strained muscle. It can also be mistaken for a disease that causes inflammatory arthritis in the spine called spondyloarthropathies.

Someone with sacroiliitis is likely to experience buttock pain, back stiffness,and possibly pain in the thighs. Even small movements can trigger discomfort in the buttock area, lower back and possibly even the thighs.

Someone with this condition will find it painful to walk, and will probably limp.

There are a number of possible causes for sacroiliitis. Often, it happens after an accident or incident that injures the spine, pelvis, buttocks or lower back. Pregnant women sometimes get sacroiliitis because the weight of the growing fetus strains the lower back. Arthritis associated with spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative arthritis can also cause it.

Anyone who has sacroiliitis has a number of different treatment options to consider. The appropriate option usually depends on severity.

Rest is appropriate in all cases. It gives your body time to heal itself. It also reduces the possibility of aggravation.

You can do exercises that will help you improve your range of motion while reducing pain.

Several kinds of medications are appropriate for sacroiliitis treatment. Typically, these medications include corticosteroids, NSAIDs, DMARDs and TNF inhibitors.

Corticosteroids work well in reducing pain and limiting inflammation. They also slow down damage to the joints. But if you use them for a long time, there are side effects.

Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to bring down the swelling and inflammation. There have been some side effects associated with NSAIDs, including high blood pressure, kidney and liver damage, and stomach problems like bleeding and indigestion.

Some individuals are more prone to experience a stroke or heart attack when they take NSAIDs, so always consult your doctor first.

Two common NSAIDs used to treat sacroiliitis are 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. They’re appropriate for slowing down sacroiliitis and are especially helpful when used in the early stages of the condition.

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 treat sacroiliitis are very expensive. Doctors and patients often choose to use them only as a last resort.

However, sometimes buttock pain and back pain caused by sacroiliitis can be so distressing that patients will pay the expense.

Many people who endure aches and pains as they pass into their senior years simply assume such pains are a natural part of growing older. You should not make this assumption. Anyone experiencing any type of back pain or buttock pain, especially sacroiliitis should see their medical professional for a diagnosis.

As is true with so many other disorders, sacroiliitis is easier to treat in the early stages before permanent joint damage occurs.

[resource]Related topics: sacroiliitis medications and sciatica and buttock pain. Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and television reporter. To read more of his articles, click on coping with buttock pain.

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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

karen paul August 5, 2011 at 4:53 am

I have sacroilitis on both sides SI degenerate (7 years) my doctor give me prednison for the inflamation and naproxen voltaren inbruffen and arcoxia for the pain but after a couple of hours the pain comes back. Your advice

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