Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran (MJIRI)

  Abstract

  Background: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is a widely known but poorly defined

  cause of low back pain. To our knowledge, few published studies have been

  conducted to evaluate systematically the prevalence and significance of concomitant

  sacroiliac joint dysfunction in patients with herniated lumbar discs. As concomitant

  SIJ dysfunction in low back pain patients is likely to respond to particular noninvasive

  interventions such as manipulation, improved understanding of the relationship

  between these two diagnoses would improve clinical decision making and research.

  Methods: This study was designated to estimate the prevalence of concomitant

  sacroiliac joint dysfunction in sub acute low back pain patients with image proven

  discopathy and evaluate the theory that sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be a source of

  pain and functional disability in discopathy. A total of 202 patients with sub acute

  radicular back pain and MRI proven herniated lumbar discs underwent standardized

  physiatrist history and physical examination, specified for detection of concomitant

  sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

  Results: Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a concomitant finding in 72.3% of evaluated

  patients. There was significantly higher SIJ dysfunction prevalence in female

  patients (p <0.001), patients with recurrent pain (p <0.005) and in patients with positive

  straight leg raising provocative test (p <0.0001).

  Conclusion: SIJ dysfunction is a significant pathogenic factor with high

  possibility of occurrence in low back pain. Thus, in the presence of

  radicular and sacroiliac joint symptoms, SIJ dysfunction, regardless of

  intervertebral disc pathology, must be considered in clinical decision

  making.