Saco-Iliac Joint Injection

The "S-I" joints connect the hip bones and the sacrum (the triangular bone above the tailbone) at the base of the spine. S-I joints are a common source of low back, buttock and hip pain.

The injections are done under intermittent flouroscopic x-ray guidance to aid in accuracy, thus the procedure is done either in radiology or in an operating room suite where x-ray is available. A nurse and/or an x-ray technician will be in the room with the physician.

The personnel in the room wear x-ray aprons as they are involved in multiple procedures on a daily basis. An individual procedure causes only a minimum amount of x-ray exposure time for you.

Your back will be cleaned with a sterile solution and covered with sterile towels. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the skin and muscles are numbed with local anesthetic. The injection sites are localized and proper placement is confirmed by infusion of a small amount of dye that shows up on the fluroscope. The medication is usually a combination of a local anesthetic (1% xylocaine or 0.5% sensorcaine) and an anti-inflammatory agent (Celestone Soluspan).

The steriod used is called depomedrol or Celestone Soluspan and is similar to the type of steriod your own body produces. It is not the same type of steroid illegally used by some athletes.