Diagnostic evaluation of sacroiliac disease

Abstract

The diagnosis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction is often difficult and requires a thoughtful and thorough workup to uncover. A proper diagnosis is required so that appropriate treatment can be provided for the chronic pain patients suffering from sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This chapter discusses the symptoms of sacroiliac joint dysfunction (including inciting factors, location, and inflammatory etiologies), the components of a physical examination (including detailed explanations of several physical examination maneuvers, as well as their reliability), the utility of diagnostic injections, the imaging techniques that are useful in this setting (radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging), and laboratory evaluation that might be required in this setting (bloodwork).