New England Spine Care

Sacroiliac Joint Injection

OVERVIEW AND INDICATIONS FOR SACROILIAC INJECTION

The left and right Sacroiliac Joints (SI joints) are located in the lower portion of spine and they have a cartilage layer covering the two adjacent sacrum and iliac bones. The cartilage allows for some movement in these joints and acts as a shock absorber. Due to traumatic strain, degenerative changes or some rheumatologic disease (psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis.), the SI joint may become inflamed and painful (SI dysfunction). In some cases, pelvic obliquity, scoliosis, leg length discrepancy and previous ankle and foot injuries may lead to increased stress on the SI joint and it may become a source of back pain. Approximately 20% of all back pain is related to SI joint.

Sacroiliac Steroid Injection is performed to localize the pain generator, reduce lower back pain, improved flexibility, and enhance function, enabling the patient to pursue PT and return to work or leisure activities. At times, the presentation is on both sides in which case each side is treated separately (1-2 weeks apart). It is encouraged to couple SI joint injections with organized physical therapy exercise program, activity modification, and ergonomic corrections for optimal outcomes.

The risks associated with Sacroiliac Steroid Injections

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It is important to know the risks associated with any medical or surgical treatment. There are a few risks associated with SI joint injection but they tend to be rare.

The potential risks include, but are not limited to:

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• Immediate or delayed allergic reaction to medication use

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Bone infarct

• Temporary increase in pain

• High blood sugar levels

• Transient vaginal spotting

• Transient facial flushing

• Sciatic nerve injury

• Bowel perforation

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The following side effects tend to be rare, though they become more common when steroids are taken daily for several months. These risks and side effects may include:

• A transient decrease in immunity

• Stomach ulcers

• Severe arthritis of the hips (avascular necrosis)

• Cataracts

• Increased appetite

• Agitation and irritability

• Negative effect on bone density and fractures

Who should avoid Sacroiliac Steroid Injections?

Sacroiliac Injections should not be performed on patients with the following conditions:

• In individuals with known allergies to local anesthetics or steroids

• Patients with a local or systemic bacterial infection

• Pregnant patients

• Patients with bleeding disorders

• Patients suffering from a tumor or infection of the pelvis

• Uncontrolled congestive heart failure or diabetes

• When the risk of holding certain mediations (Aspirin, antiplatelet drugs/blood thinners) outweighs the benefit of the  procedure

• Certain medications have to be held before elective spinal procedures. A list of such medications is on the last few pages of this educational material. Do not hold such medication on your own. Ask your PCP /or Cardiologist if it is safe to stop  such medication before the procedure. Continue to take all other medications, especially your Blood Pressure and diabetes medications.

A sample of medications that has to be held includes:

1. Aggrenox® (dipyridamole)

2. Aspirin

3. Coumadin® (warfarin)

4. Effient® (prasugrel)

5. Fragmin® (dalteparin)

6. NSAIDS (see below)

7. Herbal blood thinners

8. Heparin

9. Eliquix (apixaban)

10. Lovenox® (enoxaparin)

11. Plavix® (clopidogrel),

12. Pradaxa® (dabigatran)

13. Ticlid® (ticlopidine)

NSAIDS (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, nabumetone, diclofenac, etodolac, indomethacin, ketorolac, meloxicam, piroxicam, ketoprofen, oxaprozin)

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Please let us know if you have had fevers, antibiotic treatment, any illness, or hospitalization within the last 4 weeks. You must be healthy and off all antibiotics on the day of the procedure

Make sure you are not Pregnant at the time of the procedure. Do a Urine Pregnancy test the night before your spinal injection and report the results to the nurse before the procedure. Exposure to X-ray (used during spinal procedure) is known to result in birth defects and possible miscarriage. If in doubt, cancel and reschedule your procedure until you can confirm that you are not pregnant.

DAY OF YOUR SI JOINT INJECTION

• Please take a shower, wash the skin with normal soap, and DO NOT put skin lotions or mediated creams in the area of the injection. Wear dark and loose clothing and undergarment.

• Arrive 30 minutes early and come with someone that can give you a ride home. Your procedure should take less than 30 minutes and your total time from greeting to end should be less than 90 minutes.

• Bring your latest MRI /CT /imaging studies and the report with you.

• Bring an updated list of your medications and allergies. Please point out if you are allergic to Contrast, Iodine or Latex.

• Do not eat or drink for 2 hours before your appointment. Diabetics may have a light meal.

• After check-in, an ID wristband containing your name and allergies will be placed on your wrists. A nurse or medical assistant will go over your meds and allergies and ask few screening questions. Then a nurse will go over final preparation before the procedure. If necessary an IV line will be placed particularly if this is your first spinal procedure.

• In rare cases, oral sedation is needed to reduce anxiety associated with the procedure. This will slow down the entire process. Take medication 1 hour before the procedure and you must have someone drive you to and from the procedure. Without the ride, procedure may be canceled.

DURING THE SI JOINT INJECTION

• You will change into a gown. You will be escorted to the procedure by a nurse and a consent form will be reviewed/ signed before the procedure. You will be asked to lay on your stomach

• Blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter will be placed on your arm/finger. Every medical equipment makes loud noises (beeping, alarms) and you should not be concerned.

• Intermittently your doctor will talk to staff in the procedure room and instruct them to perform a task. Your physician will guide you through the procedure step by step.

• After standard time out, your skin will be disinfected with a cool solution, and sterile sheet of paper or plastic will be placed on your skin.

• When your physician is ready, X-ray unit is placed over your spine to identify the target.

• Skin will be marked and anesthetized (you will feel small pinch and burning sensation at each spot). It is normal to feel pressure or muscles twitching as needles are advanced to the final target.

• Once needle is at radiographic target, a small amount of contrast is injected to confirm final needle position before injecting steroid medication. You may feel transient pressure in your spine or down your leg.

• Once procedure is completed, needle is removed, skin is cleaned and Band-Aid is applied. You are then transferred back to the recovery area for observation.

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AFTER THE SI JOINT INJECTION

• You will be observed for 15-45 minutes.

• If you have an IV line, it will be removed.

• A nurse will check your vitals and review the discharge instructions with you and will answer any questions you may have. A responsible adult must be present to drive you home after discharge.

• You will leave along with a pain log and a copy of the discharge instruction which contains Emergency contact numbers. Please do not discard your discharge instructions.

• A responsible adult must drive you home.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

• Make a follow-up 2-3 weeks after the procedure and bring your pain log with you.

• After the procedure, do not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours.

• If sedated, do not make financial or important life decisions until the effect of such medication is cleared (24 hours).

• Do not participate in strenuous activity on the day of procedure.

• It is okay to shower after procedure. No bathing /submerging under water for 48 hours.

• You may remove the bandages 24 hours after the injection. Call if there is excessive redness or infection sign like warmth, discharge or collection of puss at the site of injection.

• You may resume your normal diet and medications.

• Resume your Blood Thinners/ Anticoagulants / Antiplatelet as instructed by PCP or Cardiologist. You may need to check INR/PT/PTT 2-3 days after your procedure. Contact your primary care and ask when you should have blood work. • Diabetics should monitor blood sugar levels 3 times a day for 3 days after the procedure.

CALL US YOU DEVELOP THESE SYMPTOMS. YOU MAY BE DIRECTED TO ER IF YOU EXPERIENCE:

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• Shortness of breath or palpitation after procedure

• Sudden weakness

• Fever over 101°F within 5 days after procedure

• Persistent redness increased localized pain or discharge from the site of injection.

• Possible allergic reaction within 5 days of the procedure

• Intractable headache

• Significant increased pain not responding to ice, NSAIDS and pain meds or associated with fever

• Newly developed weakness in the legs, face or arm following procedure

• Newly developed incontinence of urine or stool following procedure

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