DOES A SINGLE DIAGNOSTIC SACRO-ILIAC JOINT INJECTION CONFER A POSITIVE IMPACT ON A PATIENT’S QUALITY OF LIFE?

Aim: This study aims to quantify pain relief and quality-of-life benefit from a diagnostic SIJ injection. Methods: 50 consecutive patients were retrospectively recruited with unilateral low back pain, pain mapping compatible with a sacroiliac origin, tenderness over the SIJ, and no obvious source of pain in the lumbar spine. These were selected for a diagnostic SIJ injection. A structured questionnaire was completed both pre- and post-injection. Median patient age was 63. All patients were injected under fluoroscopic imaging with Triamcinolone 40mgs and 3mls Ropivacaine hydrochloride. Results: Onset of lower back pain symptoms ranged from 1962 to 2007. 38 patients (76%) had some form of previous non-operative treatment. No patients had previous injection or surgery. 8 patients (16%) were smokers. 17 patients (34%) had a desk based job, 22 patients (44%) had a manual job, 7 patients (14%) had heavy manual jobs. 18 patients (36%) had sustained previous back injury. A visual assessment score was carried out for low back pain and pain in both legs, both pre- and post-injection. Overall, 16 patients (32%) reported no change in their symptoms, 7 (14%) reported worsening, but in 27 (54%) improvement was recorded. When considering the Oswestry Disability Index score, 18% reported no symptom change, 24% worsened and 58% improved. Conclusion: History and physical examination can enter SIJ syndrome into the differential diagnosis, but cannot make a definitive diagnosis. Fluoroscopically guided diagnostic SIJ injection is the gold standard test for making the diagnosis whilst also conferring substantial pain relieve and quality-of-life benefit. Conflicts of Interest: None Source of Funding: None