Different Types of Arthritis that Cause Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Sacroiliac joint pain is caused by a dysfunctional sacroiliac joint and it is known as one of the most common causes of low back pain. Many health experts attribute (Sheba J Shah, Tempe, Arizona) 15-30% of low back pain instances to sacroiliac joint pain.

Common symptoms of SI joint pain

• Sacroiliac joint pain causes morning stiffness
• extreme pain due to which patients often experience difficulty in performing simple, daily activities like resting, standing or even walking.
• Low back pain while coughing or sneezing
• Burning pain in the pelvic region or chronic pelvic pain

Located at the junction of lower spine and pelvis bone, sacroiliac joints are relatively strong and stable. However, people experience SI (sacroiliac) joint inflammation when SI (sacroiliac) joints become too mobile or immobile. Some of the most common causes for sacroiliac joint pain are:

• Infection
• Injury
• Pregnancy
• Osteomyelitis
• UTIs
• Narcotic addictions
• Endocarditis
• Arthritis
• Arthritis and joint pain

Most number of people with arthritis experience SI joint pain. The SI joint inflammation causing intense low back pain can be due to various types of arthritis.

The sacroiliac joint could be affected from:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing  spondylitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

• Gout

It is essential to know the type of arthritis that is causing the SI joint pain for a successful treatment plan. Arthritis and joint pain of the hip can get worse over a period as it is known to be a progressive disease.

Arthritis and SI joint pain overview

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the synovial layer protecting the SI joints, by causing inflammation and swelling. This type of inflammation is attributed to immune disorders. As the disease progresses the cartilage and bone of the SI joint gets affected and become weak.

The worst part of rheumatoid arthritis of the SI joint is the excruciating pain that is experienced by the patients as rheumatoid arthritis also affects other joints in the body simultaneously. Compared to men, more number of women seems to suffer from SI joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. But, there are also reported cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which affects children.

A detailed study conducted by Charles G Helmick, David T. Felson et al, on prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatoid disorders states that there are approximately 294,000 reported cases of juvenile arthritis in the United States.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is found to affect approximately 1% of the general population and it is known as the most painful and chronic form of spondyloarthropathy involving spinal bone and SI joints (Ankylosing spondylitis: A state of the art factual backbone).

Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by severe low back pain in most of the cases- in as much as 75% of the people suffering from the disease. This form of arthritis and SI joint pain is seen mostly in men than women in the age group of 17-35.

The first symptom of Ankylosing spondylitis is the inflammation of SI joints with extreme fatigue and low back pain

Morning stiffness for more than three months followed by days of remission with fewer or no symptoms

The mobility of the patients gets obstructed as the disease progresses in the body

Psoriatic arthritis

Though scaly and itchy skin is the first sign of Psoriatic arthritis, it can affect any joint in the body including SI joints and cause inflammation. As per few studies 34-78% of patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis are found to experience SI joint inflammation or Sacroiliitis. 

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Studies indicate that patients with active lupus show an elevated sacroiliac joint uptake ratio. Lupus causes inflammation in all parts of the body resulting in swelling of the joints. Inflammation also promotes the release of certain chemicals in the body that can potentially break down the bone and affect cartilage.

Gout

Some of the patients with gouty arthritis are known to have SI joint inflammation according to a study. Though the occurrence of SI joint inflammation or Sacroiliitis is relatively unusual in gout, it cannot be ruled out. Affecting approximately 8 million Americans, gout causes inflammation of the big toe but it can also affect the spine and SI joints.

Osteoarthritis

Known as the most common form of arthritis, Osteoarthritis causes inflammation of the joints in wrists, hands, feet, spine or SI joints. One of the studies conducted on SI joint imaging confirms the involvement of SI joints in Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis can affect the cartilage in the socket joint in the hip region causing wear and tear of SI joints.

Conclusion

An accurate diagnosis of SI joint pain is very essential as in most of the cases the diagnosis is difficult due to the low back pain that resembles symptoms of few other diseases. The risks associated with SI joint inflammation are grave and often put the patients in severe pain and disability when not treated. Several forms of arthritis can cause  SI joint pain and each cause should be treated accordingly for symptom relief and disease management.

References:

https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health

http://www.australianetworknews.com/si-joint-pain-signs-symptoms-treatment/