SI Joint Injections in Queens

SI Joint Injections at our Queens, NY location provide targeted relief for sacroiliac joint pain, serving as both a powerful diagnostic tool and an effective non-surgical treatment.

Lower Back Pain That's Hard to Place May Be Coming From Your SI Joint

Sacroiliac joint pain is one of the most commonly missed sources of lower back, buttock, and leg pain. Because its symptoms closely mimic those of lumbar disc disease or radiculopathy, it often goes undiagnosed for months or longer. SI Joint Injections offer a precise way to both identify and treat the problem, delivering medication directly into the joint under imaging guidance. At Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute, SI joint injections are a key part of our comprehensive, conservative approach to spine and pelvic pain for Queens patients.

Contact our Queens office today to find out whether SI Joint Injections are the right next step for you.

What Are SI Joint Injections?

A sacroiliac joint injection delivers a combination of local anesthetic and corticosteroid directly into the SI joint, the joint connecting the sacrum at the base of the spine to the iliac bone of the pelvis on each side. The anesthetic provides immediate short-term relief, while the corticosteroid works to reduce inflammation in the joint over the days that follow.

Diagnostic Versus Therapeutic Purpose

Like medial branch blocks and facet joint injections, SI joint injections serve two distinct purposes. As a diagnostic tool, the injection uses the anesthetic component to determine whether the SI joint is the primary source of a patient's pain. A significant reduction in pain following the injection strongly suggests the SI joint as the pain generator, guiding further treatment decisions.

As a therapeutic treatment, the corticosteroid component works to reduce joint inflammation and provide relief that can last from several weeks to several months, depending on the individual.

The Role of SI Joint Injections in a Broader Treatment Plan

For patients with confirmed SI joint pain, injections are typically part of a broader plan that includes physical therapy to address underlying instability or muscle imbalance. When injections provide only short-term relief, and the SI joint has been clearly confirmed as the pain source, surgical options such as SI joint fusion may be discussed.

Conditions Treated With SI Joint Injections

SI joint injections are appropriate when the sacroiliac joint is identified as a likely contributor to a patient's symptoms. They are used to evaluate and treat:

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction or instability
Sacroiliitis (inflammation of the SI joint)
Degenerative arthritis of the SI joint
Post-partum SI joint pain
SI joint pain following lumbar fusion at L5-S1
Ankylosing spondylitis with SI joint involvement
Lower back, buttock, or leg pain of suspected SI joint origin

They are typically considered after first-line conservative care, including physical therapy and oral anti-inflammatory medications, has not provided adequate relief.

Are You a Candidate for SI Joint Injections in Queens?

Good candidates for SI joint injections have lower back, buttock, hip, or leg pain that has persisted despite conservative care and that is suspected to originate from the sacroiliac joint based on clinical examination and symptom pattern. Pain that is located just below the beltline, worsens with prolonged sitting or standing, and does not clearly follow a nerve root pattern is often characteristic of SI joint involvement.

Injections may not be appropriate for patients with active infection, bleeding disorders, or allergy to the medications used. Patients on blood thinners will need to pause their medication before the procedure. Our Queens team will conduct a thorough clinical evaluation and review your imaging before recommending any injection, ensuring it is placed within the context of your broader treatment plan.

We’re here to help you move forward.

What to Expect From SI Joint Injections in Queens

SI joint injections are outpatient procedures with minimal downtime. Most patients are in and out within an hour and return to normal activities the following day.

Before Your SI Joint Injection

Your consultation will include a review of your symptoms, imaging, and prior treatments. Our team will explain the procedure clearly, outline what a positive or negative response means for your ongoing care, and answer all questions before proceeding. Patients on blood thinners or certain diabetes medications will receive specific pre-procedure instructions.

The Day of Your Surgery

You will lie face down on the procedure table while the injection site is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic. Using fluoroscopic guidance, a thin needle is advanced precisely into the SI joint. A contrast agent is injected first to confirm the correct needle position within the joint, then the medication is delivered.

The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes. Some patients experience brief soreness at the injection site for one to two days afterward.

Recovering After Your Procedure

Most patients return to normal activities the day after the injection. You may notice immediate pain relief from the anesthetic component, which typically lasts several hours. Your original pain may briefly return as the anesthetic wears off before the corticosteroid takes full effect, usually within 24 to 72 hours.

Relief from the steroid component can last from several weeks to several months. If you experience significant but short-lived relief, this information is valuable and will guide the next steps in your treatment plan.

Why Choose Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute?

Gerling Spine Care and Research Institute treats the full spectrum of spine and joint pain conditions, including sacroiliac joint dysfunction, an area that is frequently misdiagnosed or undertreated. Our lead surgeon has over 40 peer-reviewed publications, and the institute has more than 300 in total, with active leadership in NASS, CSRS, and LSRS.

Our Queens patients benefit from a team that combines diagnostic precision with a genuine commitment to conservative care, reserving more invasive options only for those who truly need them.

SI Joint Injections Frequently Asked Questions

How is an SI joint injection different from an epidural injection?

An epidural injection targets the space around the spinal cord and is primarily used for nerve-related pain radiating into the legs. An SI joint injection targets the sacroiliac joint itself and is used for pain originating from that joint, which tends to be felt in the lower back, buttock, and sometimes the leg, but does not follow a clear nerve root pattern.

How do I know if my pain is coming from the SI joint?

SI joint pain can be difficult to distinguish from lumbar disc or nerve pain without a careful clinical evaluation. Symptoms that are localized just below the beltline, worsen with prolonged sitting or transitional movements, and do not clearly radiate in a dermatomal pattern suggest SI joint involvement. A guided diagnostic injection is the most reliable way to confirm the SI joint as the pain source.

How many SI joint injections can I receive per year?

Most guidelines recommend no more than three injections per year at a given joint, due to the potential effects of repeated corticosteroid use on joint tissue. Your care team will determine the appropriate frequency based on your response and clinical situation.

What if the injection does not relieve my pain?

A lack of significant relief following a diagnostic SI joint injection suggests the SI joint may not be the primary pain generator, prompting further evaluation for other contributing causes. If injections confirm the SI joint as the source but do not provide lasting relief, surgical stabilization through SI joint fusion may be considered.

Can SI joint pain come back after injections?

Yes. Injections reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms but do not address the underlying structural cause of SI joint dysfunction. For patients with persistent or recurring SI joint pain, a longer-term plan including physical therapy, activity modification, and in some cases surgical stabilization will be discussed.