Mostafa Fekry Ahmed Tantawy

Abstract

Background: The sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a very common cause of chronic low back pain. The aim of this study is to provide a prospective case study to show the efficacy and safety of sacroiliac joint injection with corticosteroids. Methods: Thirty-five patients were treated with percutaneous injection of a mixture of methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg and local anesthetic into a symptomatic sacroiliac joint. Diagnostic block was done for all cases. The patient outcome was obtained by showing the difference between the visual analog scale (VAS) before the injection (Pre-VAS) and at 1 month (Post-VAS 1) and 6 months (Post-VAS 3) after treatment. Results: Over six months of follow-up, there was statistically significant clinical improvement in the patients. There is a significant difference between Pre-VAS and Post-VAS 1 and between Pre VAS Post-VAS 2 as P value was 0.000 in both relationships. No adverse events of neurologic injury, infection, or any other complication were reported. Conclusion: Patients complaining of sacroiliac joint dysfunction induced pain who received treatment with percutaneous sacroiliac joint injection of corticosteroids experienced significant clinical improvement. This modality of treatment was effective and safe in the management of chronic low back pain due to sacroiliac joint dysfunction.