Sacroiliac Joint Steroid Injection

Here’s an overview of how a sacroiliac joint steroid injection is typically performed:

1. Preparation: The patient is positioned on an examination table, usually lying face down or on their side. The skin over the targeted area is cleaned and sterilized with an antiseptic solution.

2. Anesthesia: A local anesthetic is administered to numb the skin and tissues around the injection site. This helps reduce discomfort during the procedure.

3. Needle Insertion: Using fluoroscopic guidance (live X-ray imaging) or ultrasound, the healthcare provider inserts a thin needle into the sacroiliac joint. The exact approach and needle placement may vary depending on the patient’s anatomy and the preference of the provider.

4. Injection: Once the needle is correctly positioned, a mixture of corticosteroid medication (such as triamcinolone or methylprednisolone) and a local anesthetic (such as lidocaine or bupivacaine) is injected into the sacroiliac joint. The corticosteroid helps reduce inflammation and provide longer-lasting pain relief, while the local anesthetic provides immediate pain relief.

5. Assessment: After the injection, the patient is typically monitored for a short period to evaluate the response. Some patients may experience immediate pain relief due to the effects of the local anesthetic, while the full effects of the corticosteroid may take several days to develop.