Sacroiliac Joint Pain Treatment in New Jersey

Could Your Lower Back Pain Actually Be Coming From Your SI Joint?

Many people assume lower back pain is caused by a herniated disc or sciatica. While those conditions are common, they are not the only possible causes.

If your pain is located just above the buttock, is usually worse on one side, or becomes more painful when standing up from a chair, climbing stairs, or rolling over in bed, your sacroiliac joint may be the source.

SI joint dysfunction is one of the most commonly overlooked causes of chronic lower back pain. Because its symptoms often mimic sciatica, facet joint pain, or a lumbar herniated disc, it is frequently misdiagnosed.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Todd Koppel has helped patients throughout New Jersey identify and treat SI joint pain using advanced diagnostic techniques and minimally invasive treatments. His goal is to determine exactly where your pain is coming from before recommending treatment, helping patients avoid unnecessary procedures while finding lasting relief.

Symptoms of SI Joint Pain

SI joint pain often develops gradually but can also begin after an injury or accident.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain just above one buttock
• Lower back pain that is worse on one side
• Pain that spreads into the hip, groin, or upper thigh
• Pain when standing up from a seated position
• Pain when rolling over in bed
• Discomfort while climbing stairs
• Pain that increases with prolonged standing or walking
• Symptoms that feel similar to sciatica

Because SI joint pain can closely resemble other spine conditions, an accurate diagnosis is extremely important.

What Is the Sacroiliac Joint?

You have two sacroiliac joints, one on each side of your lower back, where the base of your spine connects to your pelvis.

Although these joints move only slightly, they play an important role in supporting your body and transferring weight between your upper body and your legs every time you stand, walk, or climb stairs.

When the SI joint becomes inflamed, arthritic, unstable, or injured, it can produce significant pain that affects your mobility and quality of life.

What Causes SI Joint Pain?

Common causes include:

• Arthritis
• Previous back injuries
• Automobile accidents
• Falls
• Sports related injuries
• Pregnancy related ligament changes
• Previous lumbar fusion surgery
• Repetitive stress from activities such as tennis, pickleball, or weightlifting
• Inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis

In many patients, more than one factor contributes to SI joint dysfunction.

How Is SI Joint Pain Diagnosed?

One of the biggest challenges with SI joint pain is that it often looks like other conditions.

Patients are frequently told they have a herniated disc, sciatica, or arthritis when the SI joint is actually responsible for their symptoms.

Dr. Koppel begins with a detailed medical history and physical examination designed to reproduce pain coming from the SI joint.

Because MRI studies do not always clearly identify SI joint dysfunction, the most reliable way to confirm the diagnosis is with a diagnostic SI joint injection.

During this procedure, a small amount of local anesthetic is placed directly into the joint using image guidance.

If your typical pain improves immediately after the injection, it confirms that the SI joint is the primary source of your symptoms.

This diagnostic approach allows Dr. Koppel to recommend the most appropriate treatment with greater confidence.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms, the underlying cause of the joint dysfunction, and how you respond to diagnostic testing.

Sacroiliac Joint Injection

Once confirmed as the pain source, a therapeutic injection with corticosteroid typically provides meaningful relief lasting several months. Many patients benefit from periodic repeat injections.

Radiofrequency Ablation

For patients who respond well to SI joint injections but find the relief does not last long enough, Radiofrequency Ablation of the sacral lateral branch nerves provides relief lasting 12 months or longer, the same RFA technology used for facet joint pain, applied to the SI joint’s nerve supply.

PRP Therapy

For SI joint instability where ligament laxity is contributing to the pain, PRP therapy injections help strengthen the supporting ligaments and reduce chronic inflammation.

SacroIliac Joint Fusion

For patients with recurrent pain after an SI block or Radiofrequency Ablation, a final permanent solution, involving SI Joint fusion, can be performed. This involves placing a small grasping screw across the joint, to hold it together and relieve the movement which cases SI Joint pain.

Why Choose Dr. Todd Koppel?

Finding the true source of lower back pain is often the most important step toward lasting relief.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Todd Koppel has helped patients throughout New Jersey diagnose and treat complex spine and joint conditions using advanced interventional pain management techniques.

Patients choose Dr. Koppel because he offers:

• Nearly 30 years of experience treating spine and joint pain
• Fellowship training at the Hospital for Special Surgery
• Advanced image guided procedures for greater precision
• Personalized treatment plans based on your diagnosis
• A conservative approach that focuses on minimally invasive care before surgery
• Expertise treating conditions that are commonly misdiagnosed, including SI joint dysfunction

His goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.