What Is Sacroiliac Joint Pain?

Sacroiliac joint pain often develops when the SI joint, located where the lower spine meets the pelvis, becomes irritated, inflamed, or moves unevenly. At Michigan Pain Specialists, our team understands that this pain can affect daily movement, walking, sitting, and standing. Common causes may include arthritis, joint wear and tear, pregnancy-related pelvic changes, prior injury, repetitive strain, poor posture, or uneven stress on the lower back and hips.

Possible contributing factors include:
• Inflammation in the sacroiliac joint
• Degenerative joint changes
• Previous falls or trauma
• Uneven leg length or altered walking pattern
• Stress from prolonged standing or sitting
• Lower back or hip mechanics affecting the pelvis

Our team evaluates each patient carefully because sacroiliac joint pain can feel similar to sciatica, hip pain, or lower back pain. By identifying the source of discomfort, our team can create a personalized pain management plan focused on long-term relief and improved mobility.

Sacroiliac joint pain can cause discomfort in the lower back, buttocks, hips, groin, or upper legs. At Michigan Pain Specialists, our team often sees patients who describe pain on one side of the lower back or pelvis, especially when standing up, climbing stairs, walking, or sitting for long periods. The pain may feel sharp, aching, stiff, or radiating, depending on how irritated the joint is.

Common symptoms may include:
• Lower back pain near the pelvis
• Buttock or hip discomfort
• Pain that worsens with standing or walking
• Stiffness after sitting
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Pain when turning in bed
• Discomfort that may mimic sciatica

We take these symptoms seriously because untreated SI joint pain can interfere with mobility, work, exercise, and sleep. Our team evaluates your pain pattern, movement limitations, and medical history to determine whether the sacroiliac joint may be contributing to your symptoms.

Sacroiliac joint pain is diagnosed through a careful evaluation of symptoms, medical history, physical movement, and targeted testing. At Michigan Pain Specialists, our team focuses on finding the real source of pain because SI joint problems can often resemble lower back pain, hip pain, or sciatica. During an evaluation, we may assess posture, walking pattern, tenderness around the pelvis, range of motion, and pain triggers.

Diagnosis may include:
• Reviewing your pain location and history
• Performing physical exam maneuvers
• Checking hip and lower back movement
• Reviewing imaging when needed
• Considering diagnostic injections when appropriate

We use a thoughtful approach to determine whether the sacroiliac joint is the main pain generator. Since each patient responds differently, our team creates a customized Plan of Care based on your condition, comfort level, and treatment goals. Accurate diagnosis helps guide the most appropriate sacroiliac joint pain treatment in Ann Arbor, MI.

You should see a doctor for sacroiliac joint pain when lower back, hip, or buttock pain does not improve with rest, keeps returning, or begins limiting your daily activities. At Michigan Pain Specialists, our team encourages patients to seek care when pain affects walking, standing, sitting, sleeping, work, or exercise. Early evaluation can help identify whether the SI joint, lower spine, hip, or another structure is causing the discomfort.

Consider scheduling an appointment if you notice:
• Pain lasting more than a few days
• Pain spreading into the buttock, groin, or thigh
• Trouble standing, walking, or climbing stairs
• Stiffness after sitting
• Pain after a fall or injury
• Symptoms that interfere with sleep or daily life

We provide focused pain management in Ann Arbor, MI, and Adrian, MI. We work with you to understand your symptoms and create a personalized plan designed to support relief, function, and better movement.

At Michigan Pain Specialists in Ann Arbor, MI, we provide sacroiliac joint pain treatment for patients dealing with persistent lower back, buttock, hip, or pelvic discomfort. Our board-certified doctors, Dr. Louis Bojrab, MD, FIPP, Dr. John Chatas, MD, FIPP, and Dr. Edward Washabaugh, MD, FIPP, focus on difficult-to-treat pain conditions and work to identify the true source of discomfort before recommending care. Our goal is to help patients who are still in pain after seeing multiple doctors find a clearer path toward relief.

Our approach may include:
• Detailed pain evaluation
• Personalized Plan of Care
• Interventional pain management options
• Supportive follow-up from our team
• Treatment focused on mobility and function

Our services highlight our commitment to compassionate care, fast consultations, and customized treatment planning. If sacroiliac joint pain is affecting your walking, sitting, standing, or quality of life, our team at Michigan Pain Specialists is here to help you. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We have convenient locations in Ann Arbor, MI, and Adrian, MI. We serve patients from Saline, Ypsilanti, Dicken, Ann Arbor, Adrian, Burns Park, and surrounding areas.