Tests and treatments
Injections for pain in lower back and buttocks
What is it?
What is it?The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is the joint between the sacrum and the ilium bones. Due to wear and tear (arthrosis), inflammation, surgery or an accident, the SI joint area may undergo change. This may result in pain in the lower back and buttocks. The pain may also manifest on one side only.
An SIJ infiltration involves injecting a local painkiller and an anti-inflammatory agent (cortisone) in the area near the painful joint. Cortisone reduces the inflammatory response and this will eventually cause the pain to decrease.
If you experience a clear reduction in pain but only for a brief period, denervation (radiofrequency treatment) of the sacroilial joint may be considered. This treatment involves ‘facet joint denervation‘.
Treatment procedure
Treatment procedurePreparation
Come to the hospital on the day of treatment.
You do not need to be fasting for the treatment. You may eat and drink.
By law, you may not drive any vehicles or operate machinery the morning after the treatment. Therefore, make sure that somebody can take you to and from the hospital. The physician or nurses can provide you with certificates, if required. If you wish, the nurses of the Pain Centre can order a taxi for you.
Always inform the physician if:
- you have diabetes or a heart condition
- you are (or could be) pregnant
- you are allergic to certain medications, contrast agents or iodine (disinfectant), latex, etcetera
- you take blood thinners
If you have reduced kidney function, have recently experienced thrombosis or a heart attack or have had a stent implanted, you must contact your attending physician first.
Medication | Stop | Comments |
---|---|---|
Asaflow®, Aspegic® Cardioaspirin®, Aspirin® Dispirl®, Sedergin® | Stop if >500 mg/day | |
Marcoumar®, Sintrom® Marevan® | Seven days before the procedure | Replace with injections (see Clexane, for example) Anticoagulation before the procedure |
Ticlid® | ten days before the procedure | |
Plavix®, Clopidogrel Brilique®, Efient® | Seven days before the procedure | |
Xarelto®, Eliquis® Lixiana®, Pradaxa® | 48 hours before the procedure | |
Fraxiparin®, Clexane® Fraxodi® | 24 hours before the procedure |
|
Leaflet
LeafletSee the leaflet below for more information about:
- course of the admission and the treatment
- the possible side effects and complications
Only available in Dutch:
Infiltratie bij pijn in onderrug en zitvlak
DownloadCentres and specialist areas
Centres and specialist areas
Latest publication date: 17/05/2023