A STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF SACROILIAC JOINT DISEASE IN CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC LOW BACK PAIN PATIENTS.

Introduction: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a challenging condition affecting 15% to 25% of patients with axial low back pain, for which there is no standard long-term treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that historical, physical examination findings and radiological imaging are insufficient to diagnose SIJ pain. The most commonly used method to diagnose the SIJ as a pain generator is with small-volume local anaesthetics blocks. Material and methods: This was prospective analytical study conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, N.S.C.B.M.C, Jabalpur. Between Sept. 2012 to Aug 2013. Study was conducted on 30 patients who fulfilled Inclusion criteria of chronic idiopathic Low Back pain were material for this study. Then a diagnostic intra-articular SI joint injection was used to confirm a suspected diagnosis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Result:Prevalence of SI Joint Diseases of patients of Chronic Idiopathic Low back pain in and around Jabalpur is 13.3% (4/30) Patient came with chronic low back pain of visual analogue score (VAS) of 2 in33.3%, 3 in 20%, 4 in 16.7%, 5 in 3.3%, 1 in 3.3%.On follow-up after one hour (VAS) score was reduce in 40%(12/30) patients. After one week (VAS) score was reduced in 23.3%(7/30) patients ,TIFD after one hour was reduced in 23.3%(7/30) patients and after one week TIFD was 13.3%(4/30) Conclusion :The SIJ is a potential pain generator that must be considered within the differential diagnosis of low back pain. Failure to recognize and treat SIJ mediated pain will result in unsatisfactory out comes in a subset of patients who suffer chronic idiopathic low back pain. Standard clinical evaluation techniques are often limited in producing concrete evidence of SIJ pain. Intra-articular injection provides the best means of obtaining diagnostic certainty when performed correctly under fluoroscopic guidance.