Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint which is commonly abbreviated as (SI) refer to the joint that links the pelvis and the spine. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction therefore refer to improper functioning of this joint due to inflammation leading to imbalance between the pelvis and the base of the spine causing pain at the lower back and the legs.

This is because the imbalance affects the normal functioning of the nerves which are found within these joints thus causing pain radiating from the buttocks (lower back) to the legs.

There are various ways in which sacroiliac joint dysfunction may take place leading to imbalance of the pelvis and the spine leading to the unbearable pain at the buttocks running all the way to the legs.

These may include:

Hyper-mobility
Motion must be supported by various components that are found in the joints such as the ligaments, discs among others. When the joints become loose and hyper-mobile, there are chances that they may not support normal motion or movement because if done there will be discomfort resulting from lower back pain or the buttocks. Hyper-mobility will most definitely cause wearing and tearing of these regions of the pelvis and the spine hence dysfunctional of the joints thus affecting the nerves. This will be due to irritations and pushing of the nerves that are found within these joints. Those involved in exercises, cardiovascular activities, aerobics may be susceptible to this kind of injury leading to pain and weaknesses at the back through to the legs. At the initial stages, the discomfort resulting from the injury may not cause a lot of pain which may be overlooked leading to worsening of the condition unlike if the condition was tackled earlier.

Traumas and injuries
This is another common cause of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Various traumas may take place on the joints between the spine and the pelvis. This will alter the normal functioning of these joints as this will cause a lot of irritations and pressure to the nerves. This will directly influence the functioning of these nerves and this will eventually be experienced as pain at the lower back. The pain is usually mild initially and as time goes by the pain will get worse leading to other complications such as arthritis. This may also cause the weakening of the lower back and the legs in general which may call for medical attention to avert the condition.

Hypo-mobility
This is too little movement. Generally, in this the joints will lock themselves due to wearing and tearing. The wearing of the joints may be occasioned by degenerative diseases such as arthritis and also old age. For old people, there will be wearing and tearing of the joints which will cause tilting or bending thus affecting balance that exist between the pelvis and the spine. The nerves that exist within the spine and the pelvis will also be affected by the tilting. This will cause irritations to the nerves and cause sciatica and pain at the lower back. This pain may radiate throughout the lower parts of the body and more especially the legs. The earlier this is diagnosed the better as it may reach a point where it causes a lot of pain and discomfort which may be unbearable.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a process whereby the spinal canal located at the lower back of the lumbar vertebrae narrows or becomes smaller in radius. This can be as a result of injuries for example those that are traumatic in nature and degenerative illnesses such as disc degenerative conditions for example arthritis. Within the lumbar, there is an important nerve that is found in it and when there is any abnormally within this region, then there is a problem at the lower back running through to the legs. This is a result of narrowing of the spinal canal which then causes compression of the nerves within the lumbar leading to sciatica. Other conditions can also cause narrowing of the spinal space (lumbar spinal stenosis) leading to irritations and pushing of the nerves that are within the lumbar vertebrae leading to sciatica.
This may include the following:

Tumors

Tumors refer to the increase in the size of various structures or tissues with the spine. Increased size of the structures within the spine will most definitely utilize most of the space if not all that is found in the lumbar vertebrae. Because of this therefore, there will be a lot of pressure exerted on the nerves that are present within this vertebrae and this will finally cause sciatica. It is worth to note that to some people the pain that is experienced in the lower back through the legs may go unnoticed for along period of time hence worsening the condition. This is because initially they are misconstrued with numbness which is experienced in the morning and maybe after walking or exercising for along period of time. As lumbar spinal stenosis progresses, the patient will start developing sharp/burning and painful pain at the lower back (buttocks) hence sciatica.

Infections

Some infections and diseases may invade the spinal region. These infections may be accompanied with some rashes, inflammations among others. These will most definitely change the diameter of the spinal code which will have an effect on the nerves that are present within the lumbar region. Once the nerves are pressed and irritated because of these infections, there will be pain experienced at the lower back and more often the pain will run through the legs. This may also be exhibited in form of weakness on the lower region of the back and the knees.

Metabolic bone disorders

Some disorders may cause bones to grow abnormally more especially in the spinal region. Because of this growth, the space in this region will be decreased greatly thus making them narrow. The narrowing of the spinal area or region will have a direct effect on the nerves that are present in the lumbar region. This will ultimately have an effect on their function and this will start by experiencing some pain on the lower back. The pain and weaknesses at the back can also run through the legs hence causing discomfort. It is worth to note that some people may disregard the initial symptoms of this condition leading to complicated levels of the condition. Bone disorders that are known to cause lumbar spinal stenosis include Paget’s disease of the bone.

Causes Of Sciatica

Sciatica refers to symptoms which occur when there is damage or irritation to the sciatic nerves. In some cases pinching of the sciatic nerves can lead to the symptoms of sciatica. There are various causes of Sciatica which include the following:

Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis refer to one of the muscles which is situated at the buttocks (lower back). In this muscle there is a nerve which runs through it and when the root of this important nerve is irritated or pinched, pain and some numbness is experienced at the back of the leg all the way into the foot. To some people the pain can be so severe until it affects motion or movement. This pain is sometimes referred to as sciatica pain.

Lumbar Herniated Disc

This is sometimes referred to as slipped disc. The human spine is made up of discs, nerves, vertebrae among other components which ease movement and communication. For the vertebrae to function properly, discs must be present. Discs are important as they help in cushioning and supporting the vertebrae. When there is rapture of the outer disc, the gel which is normally found within the disc will start bulging out in between the vertebrae. The swelling/bulging will finally cause a lot of pressure to the sciatic nerves. Exertion of pressure on these nerves will irritate or in some cases cause some pinching on them leading to sciatica. As one gets older the more he or she is at risk of developing herniated disc since the discs become tougher, brittle and harder hence subject to splitting and rupturing. In terms of gender, both men have almost equal chances of getting sciatica but women are more vulnerable as compared to men of the same age.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The nerves that run throughout the body including the back run through avenues or passages. In the event that the passages start narrowing, there is a danger of developing some discomfort which may be accompanied with other symptoms. The discs, ligaments or bones may abnormally put a lot of pressure to the nerves of the spine; this is likely to cause unwarranted pain at the legs and the lower back. This may result due to diseases of the bones for example Paget’s illness; when there are changes or alterations of the ligaments especially those of the spine and finally age. Lumbar spinal stenosis is common in those people who are in their middle ages and the elderly as compared to the young ones.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

This joint is found at the lower back of the body and it lies close to the bottom of the spine above the tail bone and below the lumbar spine. The joint is normally very strong, small, acts as a shock absorber and it is this joint that is responsible in transmitting the forces that are involved in the hips and the legs. When there is some form of malfunctioning of this important joint, there will be irritation of the nerves in these joints and this will finally lead to some form of pain which may run from the lower back unto the legs.