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Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge
Bone & Joint Staff • July 30, 2019
5 Possible Causes of SI Joint Dysfunction

When it comes to low back pain, there is no shortage of people affected. In fact, up to 80 percent of all American adults will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives due to causes ranging from herniated discs to muscle strain. However, up to 25 percent of cases of pain in the lower back and thighs can be attributed to dysfunction with the sacroiliac (SI) joints. 


What are SI Joints?

The sacroiliac joints are located where the sacrum (triangular-shaped bone near the bottom of the spine) and left and right iliac (large pelvic bones) meet. Their function is to distribute weight evenly across the pelvis, absorb shock, and alleviate pressure on the spine. When the SI joints become painful and inflamed, it is known as SI joint dysfunction. This is a condition that can occur due to many potential causes, including the following:


SI Joint Dysfunction from Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is responsible for more cases of joint pain than any other condition. Also known as degenerative arthritis, the inflammation and pain of osteoarthritis most frequently occurs with age, after years of wear and tear on the joint. As the condition progresses, the cartilage that once cushioned and protected the joint degrades even further, and symptoms such as pain and decreased range-of-motion worsen.


SI Joint Pain from Gout

Gout is another form of arthritis that develops in some who have elevated levels of uric acid in their blood. This acid can form crystals within the joints. These crystal deposits in joints can lead to painful, red, swollen, warm joints. This can occur in one or many joints. 


Pregnancy and SI Joint Pain

With pregnancy, the growing baby places increased stresses on the woman’s pelvis, and added weight that occurs naturally throughout pregnancy places added stress across the SI joints. This, combined with ligamentous laxity that occurs with pregnancy due to hormones such as relaxin, can lead to instability and pathologic motion across the SI joint. Most of the time this pain resolves after delivery, but some women can experience SI joint pain long after their pregnancy.


SI Joint Dysfunction Due to Injury

Forceful impacts from sources such as falls, car accidents, or contact sports can lead to trauma and resulting pain within the sacroiliac joints.


Ankylosing Spondylitis and SI Joint Dysfunction

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a specific form of arthritis which impacts the joints and vertebrae of the spine, and it is commonly observed in the SI joints. In addition to causing joint inflammation, AS may also lead to the development of bony growths which cause the joints to fuse to the spine. It is most commonly seen in young men and can range from mild and intermittent to severe and ongoing.


Relief from SI Joint Dysfunction

Finding the appropriate treatment protocol to bring relief from SI joint dysfunction requires a skilled orthopedic specialist who can first identify the underlying source of pain. To find an orthopedic physician who specializes in arthritis and joint dysfunction in the Baton Rouge area, click the button below to learn more about the physicians at the Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge.

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Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis and Managing It at Different Life Stages

Understanding the Most Common Types of Arthritis and Managing It at Different Life Stages

By The Bone & Joint Clinic Staff • January 31, 2025
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Bone & Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge Physician Practice Transition – Effective April 1, 2025

By Bone and Joint Clinic Staff • January 30, 2025
BATON ROUGE, LA, January 30, 2025 – Effective April 1, 2025, four distinguished orthopedic surgeons from The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will transition to Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic (BROC), continuing their commitment to providing high-quality orthopedic care. The physicians joining BROC are: 1. Joseph "Jeb" Broyles, MD – Specializes in joint replacement surgery, knee arthroscopy, and cartilage regeneration. 2. Arthur "Art" Hess, MD – Specializes in trauma, hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction, and total joint replacement surgery. 3. Mat hew "Matt" Mazoch, M D – Specializes in shoulder and knee surgery. 4. Alan Schroeder, MD – Specializes in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. Beginning April 1, 2025, these physicians will operate under BROC's umbrella while continuing to see patients at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge's current location, 7301 Hennessy Blvd. Eventually, the doctors plan to transition to BROC's campus on Bluebonnet Blvd. The estimated timeline for that move is Summer/Fall 2025. In addition, Dr. Patrick Hall will be transitioning to his own practice, Hall Podiatry, that will continue to provide quality podiatric care to patients. Dr. Hall will continue to practice at 7301 Hennessy Blvd. until May/June 2025. After that date, patients may see him at a new nearby location. Dr. Zachary Rohr and Christopher Belleau will also transition their practice to a new location effective March 31, 2025. We will update our patients once those details are finalized. Dr. Gerard Murtagh of The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will be retiring effective March 2025. Dr. Murtagh has been a vital part of the clinic since 1988 and has significantly contributed to its success. We thank Dr. Murtagh for his many years of service to the patients of Bone & Joint Clinic. Patients are encouraged to continue scheduling appointments at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge using the current process for the foreseeable future. To ensure a seamless transition, The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will provide detailed information to patients in the coming weeks, including the secure transfer of medical records and continuity of care. The health and well-being of patients remain the top priority, and The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, BROC, and Hall Podiatry are working together to make this transition as smooth as possible while maintaining uninterrupted care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, patients can contact The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge at 225-766-0050 or by visiting bjcbr.com . Patients can also reach BROC at 225-924-2424 or by visiting brortho.com .
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