The most common symptom of sacroiliac joint dysfunction is low back pain with or without buttock pain. Sacroiliac, or SI joint pain may spread (radiate) into the groin, hips, back of the thighs, and feet.

Like other types of pain, each patient does not experience the same symptoms. Pain may be described as a minor ache, and the intensity of pain can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may be episodic, infrequent, brought on by everyday activities, or constant (chronic).

Aspects of SI joint pain and symptoms

• Triggered by coughing or sneezing
• Improve when lying down
• Aggravated with poor posture, by bending or twisting, standing or walking for a long period of time
• Difficult for to carryout everyday activities (eg, climbing stairs, sleeping)
• Accompanied by stiffness in the low back and/or burning sensations in the pelvis*

*Pelvic pain is often caused by inflammation of one or both SI joints. Arthritis can cause such inflammation, although your doctor can accurately determine the cause.

It’s important to remember sacroiliac joint dysfunction and pain can be difficult to distinguish from pain originating in the hip joint or lower back. Your doctor's physical examination may include specific movement tests to determine if the SI joints are involved.