Back pain in athletes - Can it be a dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint?

Back pain in athletes - Can it be a dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint?

Many of the soccer players treated at Milton Chiropractic Clinic present at our clinic with sacroiliac pain. Often, pain originating from this joint is misdiagnosed as a “herniated disc” because the pain caused by the sacro-illiac joint can refer to the leg. However, unlike a herniated disc, the pain rarely radiates below the knee. Typical signs and symptoms of sacroiliac pain include a dull ache at the base of the spine that increases with sitting, bending, lifting, and rising from a seated position. Sometimes the pain can relate to the groin, buttocks, or back of the thigh.

The sacro-iliac joints are located at the back and bottom of the spine and consist of the ilium bones and the sacrum. The articular surfaces are covered with articular cartilage and the joints are reinforced by thick, strong ligaments that give the joint great stability.

Sacroiliac joint pain can have several causes, but one of the most common is when a person lands on a buttock during a fall. Something that is not uncommon in football! A leg length discrepancy can also cause pain in the sacroiliac region.

Some inflammatory diseases also cause pain in the sacroiliac joint. The general term for these conditions is: “spondyloarthropathies,” which simply means a disease that affects the spine. Examples of these diseases include: ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and Reiter's syndrome. The interesting thing about these diseases for medical professionals is that they occur particularly in young men between the ages of 16 and 35. These conditions can only be treated with medication and a referral to a consultant rheumatologist is required.

Treatment: what can you do?

• Consult a specialist

• Recover from aggravating activities

• Wear a support such as a brace or belt

• Do light exercise, preferably in a pool

• Use corrective insoles

Chiropractic care is very effective when normal movement of the sacroiliac joint is blocked and needs to be restored. Restoring motion and unlocking the joint eliminates abnormal stress on the ligaments around the joint. Once normal movement of the sacroiliac joint is restored, active rehabilitation exercises are introduced. These exercises are very specific and differ from person to person.

Recovery from aggravating activities is critical during an acute pain episode. Ibuprofen, paracetamol or aspirin also provide relief and should be considered in the early stages of pain. Always consult a professional when taking any medication.

Corrective insoles

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be caused by biomechanical factors such as a difference in leg length or altered leg alignment. These causes need to be addressed if someone is looking for long-term relief. In these cases, custom-made orthoses can be helpful.

It is very important to distinguish Sacro-Illiac Joint Pain from a herniated disc or a herniated disc because the treatment of these conditions is very different and, if not treated properly, can result in a long delay in improvement. It is therefore crucial to consult a professional if you have back problems.

Inspired by Jasper Hulscher