What is a sacroiliac joint injection? • Leg numbness and weakness are very rare Sacroiliac joints are joints that join the lowest side effects. part of the spine, the sacrum to the pelvis. • Temporary difficulty taking weight through There is one on each side. They help to support the injected side. weight and act as a suspension when walking. • Allergy to injected medication The joints can become inflamed causing pain. A steroid injection into the sacroiliac joints Due to the injected steroid: can help to relieve the pain by reducing the • Facial flushing for a few days. inflammation. • Temporary alteration of your usual menstrual What does it involve? cycle (females). • You will be lying on your front for the • Temporary increase in your sugar levels procedure, which usually takes 10-20 (diabetics) minutes. Local anaesthetic is injected into the skin and a fine needle is passed toward What happens on the day of my the joint under X-ray guidance. appointment? • You can eat and drink. • Once the needle is confirmed to be in the joint, we inject steroid and local anaesthetic. • Take all your tablets as normal. Bring a list of your tablets with you. Does it work? Please arrive at the Admissions and Day The injection is used primarily to diagnose • Case Unit (ADCU) no more than 10 minutes the source of your pain. The local anaesthetic before your appointment time as waiting numbs the joint so if the sacroiliac joint is area is limited. the source of pain, you should experience significant pain relief within 15 minutes of • A nurse will take some details from you to the injection, which may last for a few hours. check that you are fit for your procedure. Again, if the sacroiliac joint is a source of pain • You will be at the ADCU for about 2- 4 then there may be some prolonged pain relief hours. This time may vary depending on from the steroid which may last over 6 months. unforeseen circumstances. More often the pain returns within days, weeks or a few months after the procedure in which • A doctor, not necessarily your consultant will case you may undergo a potentially longer come and see you. You will be asked to sign lasting treatments such as Radiofrequency a consent form. The doctor will be able to Denervation. (Rhizolysis). answer any questions you may have at this time. Risks and side effects • Please bring a dressing gown and Due to the procedure: sensible footwear with you. You will be • Infection – rare. asked to walk to the treatment room on ADCU. • Possible discomfort for the first few days after your injection. • After you have had your procedure, you will need to stay with us for a short period of • Bruising to the injection area. time.
First choice for orthopaedic care Version 078/04 Review: November 2021 www.roh.nhs.uk | 0121 685 4000 Page 1 Sacroiliac Joint Injection
You must NOT drive home or go home Patient Support on public transport. Please arrange for Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) someone to collect you from ADCU. You are offers help, support and advice to patients, their allowed to go home by taxi. relative, friends and carers. PALS can help After your Injection answer questions you have about hospital services; respond to problems or concerns; and • Take things easy for the rest of the day. Do not do any excessive exercise or heavy welcome your suggestions or comments, both work for the first few days. positive and negative. PALS can be contacted by phone, Monday to Friday, 8.30am and • Remove the dressing the next morning 4.30pm. See contact details below. Important information Patient Experience • Please inform ADCU if you are diabetic, As a hospital we are committed to listening have a cough or cold or have any kind of to the views of our patients and using the infection. feedback to inform service improvement plans. • You must inform us if you are taking You may be asked to complete a number any of the following tablets – antibiotics, of surveys at different stages during your aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel or any other treatment. Please help us by completing the blood thinning medication before attending questionnaires. Your participation is greatly as some of these may need to be stopped appreciated. some days before. Contact Numbers • Your procedure may be cancelled if you do PALS 0121 685 4128 not inform ADCU of the above before your appointment date. ADCU 0121 685 4080 ADCU Care Coordinator 0121 685 4334 • If you cannot make your appointment date, you must let the ADCU scheduled care coordinator know as soon as possible on Further Information 0121 685 4334, Mon-Fri 8.30pm-4.00pm. This will mean that the appointment can www.roh.nhs.co.uk then be given to someone else. Thank you. www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Information for females www.spinalmedical.co.uk We will need to know the start date of your last menstrual period due to the use of X-ray equipment. If you think you might be pregnant, contact ADCU for advice on 0121 685 4080 between 9am - 3pm (Mon-Fri). Smoking This Trust has a No Smoking Policy.
First choice for orthopaedic care Version 078/04 Review: November 2021 www.roh.nhs.uk | 0121 685 4000 Page 2