Why Sacroiliac Joint Pain Often Occurs on One Side: Expert Guide from Spine Specialist Delhi (Dr. Amit Shridhar, Internationally Trained Endoscopic Spine Surgeon, HOD, Dept. of Spine Surgeries & Rehabilitation, Sant Parmanand Hospital, New Delhi ) Feeling a sharp stabbing ache on one side of the lower back can leave you puzzled and uneasy. If the pain spreads down into the hip or travels to the leg, it could signal sacroiliac joint pain. This issue troubles millions . Studies suggest that around 15 to 30 percent of the population deal with it. Knowing why this pain often impacts just one side more than both can guide you to find the right treatment through an experienced spine specialist in Delhi. The sacroiliac joints found at the point where your spine connects to your pelvis, are important in moving weight and force between your upper body and legs. If these joints become inflamed or do not work , pain often shows up on one side. This creates a clear pattern that skilled healthcare providers can recognize.
Understanding Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Its Unilateral Nature Your sacroiliac joints are some of the strongest in your body. They are built to manage heavy loads and support weight-bearing tasks. These L-shaped joints link the triangular bone at the spine’s base called the sacrum, to the upper section of your pelvic bone known as the ilium. Unlike joints that let you move , sacroiliac joints allow slight tilting and rotation. Issues with sacroiliac joints trouble just one side more. This is because everyday movements and body mechanics are not symmetrical. Most folks rely more on one side for things like
climbing stairs, walking, or lifting heavy stuff. Over time, this imbalance puts uneven pressure on these joints. The structure of these joints plays a big role in pain appearing on just one side. Each sacroiliac joint has its own nerves and muscles around it. When something goes wrong or swelling happens, it starts in the joint handling the most strain. That is why sacroiliac joint pain often shows up on one side first. Common Causes of SI Joint Pain on One Side Different things can lead to sacroiliac joint pain on just one side. Traumatic injuries are a common reason. A fall on a single hip, a car crash, or even a wrong step can put enough stress on one sacroiliac joint to hurt it while the other stays fine. Another major reason for one-sided SI joint problems comes from biomechanical imbalances. Even small differences in leg length can put constant strain on one sacroiliac joint. Conditions like scoliosis or other issues with the spine can change how weight is spread across these joints, which may cause one side to wear out faster. Diseases that cause inflammation such as ankylosing spondylitis often start by affecting just one sacroiliac joint before spreading to both. Studies show that as many as 57.9% of people with sacroiliac joint issues after lumbar fusion surgery notice symptoms on one side at first. Changes during pregnancy often lead to pain on one side of the sacroiliac joint. Hormones during this time loosen ligaments, and the baby's growth can push on the pelvis. Many expectant mothers adjust how they walk to cope, which can strain one of the sacroiliac joints even more. Work habits and repeated motions can also result in problems with one-sided joint function. Jobs that involve standing for long periods lifting heavy objects, or twisting the body again and again can put uneven stress on the joints. Recognizing Sacroiliac Joint Pain Symptoms Figuring out symptoms of sacroiliac joint pain can be tricky because it feels a lot like other issues such as herniated discs or hip troubles. But some specific signs set SI joint pain apart when it shows up on one side of the body. This kind of pain feels sharp and stabbing in the lower back right below where a belt would sit. The pain often spreads into the buttock, hip, or even down the back or side of the thigh. But unlike sciatica, it almost never reaches below the knee. Stiffness in the morning that lasts longer than an hour often troubles people dealing with sacroiliac joint problems. Sitting for a long time on softer chairs or couches tends to make the pain worse. Moving around helps ease it. Sharp bursts of pain can happen when climbing stairs, getting up from bed, or going from sitting to standing.
A spine specialist in Delhi finds tenderness in the sacroiliac joint during a physical exam. Tests like the FABER test or Gaenslen’s test are useful to confirm the issue, as they recreate the pain the patient regularly feels. Effective Sacroiliac Joint Pain Treatment Options Doctors treat sacroiliac joint pain by tackling the root cause and easing the symptoms. Most patients start with non-invasive treatments, which work for 60 to 80% of them when done . The first line of medical treatment often relies on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs lower swelling in the joint and relieve pain. If a patient has serious muscle spasms near the joint, doctors might include muscle relaxants to help. Physical therapy has an important part in managing conditions over the long term and preventing them from coming back. A planned program that strengthens the core, stabilizes the pelvis, and fixes biomechanical issues often helps people feel better for longer. Research shows people who go through a full physical therapy plan often do better than those who stick to just using medicine. To treat patients who don’t improve enough with basic steps, interventional procedures give other choices. Corticosteroid injections into the sacroiliac joint help confirm diagnoses and treat the problem at the same time. These injections work well for people dealing with joint dysfunction caused by inflammation. Modern treatment methods include radiofrequency denervation. This method blocks nerve signals from the damaged joint and may offer pain relief that lasts longer. When less invasive or conservative treatments do not work for serious cases, doctors might opt to suggest surgical fusion of the sacroiliac joint. Finding Expert Care and Sacroiliac Joint Pain Relief in Delhi NCR Finding good care to treat sacroiliac joint problems in Delhi NCR is now easier as more doctors understand this issue. Sant Paramanand Hospital in Delhi provides detailed assessments and treatments for people dealing with complicated spine issues like sacroiliac joint dysfunction. When looking to treat sacroiliac joint pain relief issues, you should find a spine surgeon in Delhi NCR with expertise in these conditions. These doctors know the details of SI joint pain and can tell it apart from other types of lower back pain. In Delhi NCR top medical centers offer a team-based care system. They have spine specialists, pain doctors, and physical therapists working together. This setup helps patients get well-rounded care suited to their specific health needs and situations. Doctors now use advanced tools like MRI and CT scans to pinpoint SI joint problems . Many centers in Delhi NCR also provide same-day diagnostic injections. These injections can ease pain and help confirm the diagnosis.
Statistical Overview of Sacroiliac Joint Pain Aspect
Statistics
Source
General Population Prevalence
15-30%
Clinical Studies
Post-Lumbar Fusion Incidence
15.8% overall
Research Data
Unilateral Presentation
57.9% of cases
Medical Literature
Treatment Success Rate (Conservative) 60-80%
Clinical Outcomes
Average Symptom Onset (Post-Surgery) 22 months
Follow-up Studies
Gender Distribution
Higher in women Epidemiological Data
Moving Forward with Confidence Knowing why sacroiliac joint pain happens on one side helps people get the right care and choose the best treatment. The uneven way we move every day, along with differences in how our bodies are built and possible injuries, can make one sacroiliac joint more likely to have problems than the other. Spotting and treating SI joint issues can stop long-term pain and other problems from getting worse. When doctors diagnose it and use a thorough treatment plan most people feel much better and can go back to their regular routines. If you have constant pain on one side of your lower back that spreads to your hip or buttock, don't ignore it or wait for it to get worse. Visiting a skilled spine specialist in Delhi can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment plan to improve your life. Advanced diagnostic tools proven treatment options, and expert care in Delhi NCR give a real chance to find longterm relief from sacroiliac joint pain.
