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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or general practitioner. However, because sacroiliitis can be difficult to diagnose, you may be referred to a rheumatologist or an orthopedic surgeon.
What you can do
Before your appointment, you may want to write a list that answers the following questions:
- When did your symptoms start?
- Where exactly does the pain occur?
- Does any type of activity worsen or lessen the pain?
- Can you think of anything that may have triggered the pain, such as a car accident or a recent fall?
- What medications and supplements do you take?
What to expect from your doctor
During the physical exam, your doctor may try to pinpoint the cause of your pain by pressing directly on various places on your hips and buttocks. He or she may also move your legs into a variety of positions that will gently stress your sacroiliac joints.
- Isaac Z, et al. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199872655-3/994114554/1678/50.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50049-3_767. Accessed May 6, 2010.
- Williams KD, et al. Injection studies. In: Canale ST, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199872655-4/0/1584/296.html?tocnode=55688040&fromURL=296.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03329-9..50042-8--cesec38_1984. Accessed May 6, 2010.
- van der Linden, et al. Ankylosing spondylitis: Pathology. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Co.; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199988049-3/994442372/1807/513.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10070-1--s0200_2539. Accessed May 7, 2010.
- Anderson BC. Evaluation of the adult with hip pain. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed May 7, 2010.
- Inman RD. The spondyloarthropathies. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199988049-4/994442372/1492/1025.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50291-3--cesec7_12895. Accessed May 7, 2010.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. May 17, 2010.
- Cohen SP, et al. Randomized placebo-controlled study evaluating lateral branch radiofrequency denervation for sacroiliac joint pain. Anesthesiology. 2008;109:279.
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