Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction from Rear-end Collisions

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a frequently missed diagnosis in victims of Tennessee car accidents. Rear-end car accidents are one of the most common causes of damage to the sacroiliac joint, which can cause severe pain in the lower back and buttocks as well as intense frustration, as the diagnosis so often eludes medical professionals.

The sacroiliac joint, which connects the lower sacrum—the lowest part of the spine—to the pelvis, transfers the weight of the upper body weight to the pelvis and legs. Problems with the joint may be responsible for up to 30 percent of lower back complaints, although it is diagnosed significantly less often than that.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Symptoms

A salient characteristic of SIJ dysfunction is that it always causes a pain in the buttocks, making it uncomfortable to sit. It may also include pain in the lower back, groin region, thigh, and foot, and can irritate the sciatic nerve. Walking, climbing stairs, and sleeping may be uncomfortable, and mental stress seems to aggravate the discomfort. If you’ve been in a rear-end accident and find yourself shifting your weight from side to side when standing or from one buttock to another when sitting, you should communicate this to your doctor, as these are classic signs of injury to your SI joint.

How SIJ Dysfunction is Diagnosed

Diagnosis of SIJ dysfunction cannot be made with x-rays, MRIs or CT scans alone, although imaging is useful to rule out other possible causes of your pain. Diagnosis is generally made by performing an arthrogram and block, in which the SI joint is injected with a contrast dye. A local anesthetic and a corticosteroid are then injected into the joint. A CT scan or fluoroscope is used to track the movement of the dye. You’ll be instructed to stand, sit, and move into various positions that typically bring on the pain. If the medication eliminates the pain, the problem is likely to be with the SI joint. The combination of anesthetic and steroid will relieve your sacroiliac pain for anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Treatment of SIJ Dysfunction

If the test determines that the sacroiliac joint is the source of your pain, your doctor will probably try the least invasive treatment options first, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, spinal manipulation, physical therapy, pulsed radiofrequency ablation, or a brace to support the joint. These interventions may be tried singly or in combination.

If the less invasive techniques are unsuccessful, SI fusion surgery may be an option. Traditional fusion surgery utilizes screws and bone grafts to stabilize the joint, sometimes with an implanted pulsed electromagnetic bone stimulator to increase the likelihood of a correct union.

A newer and less invasive surgery eliminating the need for bone grafts involves placing three titanium implants into the joint with a cannula, through a tiny incision. The minimally invasive surgery reduces the amount of bleeding, shortens the hospital stay, and allows earlier weight bearing.

Recovering Compensation

Although liability for the accident is seldom an issue in a rear-end crash, insurance companies often assume that these common collisions don’t cause real injuries and offer little or no money to compensate victims for their damages. If you’ve suffered sacroiliac damage, having an experienced Tennessee auto accident attorney working for you to present your case will usually make a significant difference in the amount of your recovery.

Free consultation and you pay nothing unless we recover funds

Call us today toll free at 901-680-9777 to speak with one of our seasoned Tennessee auto accident attorneys to maximize your chances of obtaining a recovery adequate to compensate you for all that you’ve suffered. We will provide you with a copy of our free books and set up a free consultation to discuss your case.  You pay no fee unless we obtain a verdict or settlement.