Arthrosis of the sacroiliac joints: signs and treatment

The sacroiliac joint is the area where the ear-shaped articular parts of the sacrum connect with the corresponding iliac bones. Arthrosis of the sacroiliac joints is based on a degenerative process, which is accompanied by the destruction of bone tissue with subsequent replacement by pathological formations. There is a rapid decrease in the volume of synovial fluid in the joint capsule, which leads to limitation of motor activity and the appearance of severe clinical symptoms.

Causes of the disease

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a pair. It is formed on both sides of the spine in the monolithic sacral region. The fusion sites are covered with hyaline cartilage. Rigid ligaments are formed around the SIJ. A small amount of synovial fluid is formed inside the joint capsule. The function of the CPS is to ensure:

depreciation of the torso during movement;
measured distribution of the load on the pelvis and legs with an upright body position and walking;
stabilizing the body while sitting.

According to multiple medical studies, arthrosis of the sacroiliac joints in most cases develops against the background of an inflammatory process.

With age, the likelihood of arthrosis of the sacroiliac joints increases, as deformation of the corresponding part of the musculoskeletal system occurs to one degree or another. Predisposing factors have been identified that significantly contribute to the occurrence of degenerative and dystrophic changes:

injuries of the lumbosacral spine, hips;
repeated pregnancies, childbirth, birth of a large child;
congenital anomalies of bone development;
overweight;
infections affecting bone tissue;
a metabolic disorder that results in calcium deficiency in the body;
hypodynamic lifestyle;
Bekhterev's disease;
osteoporosis;
osteomalacia due to menopause in women;
curvature of the spine in the form of flattened lordosis in the lumbar region, severe kyphosis of the coccygeal region;
destruction of the knee or hip joints, which leads to improper distribution of the load;
intense sports activities;
hard physical labor;
genetic predisposition.

To the great regret of specialists, in the last 5–10 years, bilateral sacroiliac arthrosis has been increasingly diagnosed in young people aged 25–35 years. Previously, the disease was considered characteristic of people over 55 years of age. Statistics show that SIJ most often affects women. Doctors explain this by processes associated with childbirth, as well as with anatomical features.

General information

The coccyx is the lowest vertebral section; its shape is similar to a curved pyramid facing downwards. The coccygeal section is formed by five small fused vertebrae, different from the vertebrae of the other sections. All of them, except the first one, do not have processes. The first vertebra has two upper processes connected to the lower processes of the fifth sacral vertebra, and also has rudimentary longitudinal processes.

The sacrum is a bone formation, with its base facing upward and tapering at the bottom in the shape of a triangle formed by five vertebrae connected to each other. They have articular, longitudinal and spinous processes, but there is no interarticular tissue. The processes connect with each other, forming five ridges behind the sacrum. The scallop is connected to neighboring bones using joints:

double sacroiliac joints connected to the iliac processes of the pelvis and the lateral surfaces of the sacrum;
The coccygeal-sacral joint is located between the base of the coccyx and the apex of the sacrum;
The sacrolumbar joint is located between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the base of the sacrum.

The coccygeal-sacral and sacrolumbar joints are modified vertebral discs that do not have pulpous fluid. Dense and practically immobile iliosacral joints have a flat shape, a slit-like opening and are located in a tight, stretched joint capsule.

Symptoms of sacroiliac arthrosis

The onset of the pathological process often goes unnoticed, as it does not manifest itself with specific symptoms. The first manifestations of the disease are associated with the destruction of cartilage tissue. Over time, the patients' condition worsens, they complain of:

painful sensations in the lumbosacral spine, in the buttocks area, which intensify during bending, sitting, walking or physical activity;
muscle tension in the sacral region;
stiffness of movements, decreased amplitude;
crunching sound when turning the body or bending over
change in gait;
frequent urge to urinate;

Patients characterize the pain as pulling, aching, which at times radiates to the groin area, perineum, buttocks and legs.

Lack of treatment contributes to the worsening of the inflammatory process. The skin over the affected joints turns red and becomes more sensitive, the soft tissues become swollen due to impaired local circulation. Osteophytes form on the surface of the joint. In severe cases, patients completely lose the ability to move without assistance.

ethnoscience

It is almost impossible to restore joints and mobility, completely relieve pain and the inflammatory reaction using traditional medicine recipes. But the involvement of this therapy in the general treatment course can help speed up recovery and get a positive effect in a short time.

As effective means of alternative medicine, thanks to which arthrosis can be cured, it is necessary to highlight:

Honey and vinegar. The components are mixed in a 2:1 ratio, then rubbed into the affected area. For severe pain, the procedure is performed once an hour, for moderate pain - once every 4 hours. If relief occurs, you do not need to stop treatment immediately; you need to perform several more procedures to consolidate the effect.
Tincture. The most effective remedy for external use during the inflammatory process in the articular processes is an infusion based on potato sprouts and alcohol. To get an effective result, the tincture must be applied daily to the affected area.
Eggshell. This is an excellent recipe for strengthening bone tissue. You need to eat 1 tsp every day. pre-ground egg shells.
Mumiyo. To restore joints, it is recommended to take mumiyo solution every day.
Vishnevsky ointment. Moisten a small piece of cloth with this product, apply it to the affected part and secure it with an adhesive plaster. Do this compress before going to bed. Usually, several procedures can relieve the inflammatory process, which is why this method is one of the best.

Despite the fact that folk recipes are absolutely natural and quite safe, in certain cases their use can only aggravate the patient’s condition.

It is recommended to use homemade medications only after consulting a doctor.

Degrees of arthrosis of the sacroiliac joints

The course of sacroiliac arthrosis occurs in several stages:

Stage I – characterized by the absence of specific symptoms. Sometimes patients complain of slight pain in the sacrum and buttocks after long walks, sports or professional physical activity. After rest, the discomfort goes away on its own
Stage II – attacks of pain appear much more often and are intense, requiring medication. Severe pain leads to the fact that the patient cannot stand or sit, and when lying down he feels only a slight improvement. Current inflammation provokes irreversible deformation processes.
Stage III is the stage of formation of osteophytes, which rapidly destroy cartilage. The bony areas of the joint become exposed. The pain appears at rest and is poorly controlled with painkillers. Posture and gait are disrupted, and visible signs of deformation appear in the sacrum area. In the area of the SIJ there is a crunching sensation and crepitus.
Stage IV – the patient experiences complete stiffness. A section of the sacrum may be torn off, which leads to disability.

Preventive actions

Considering that arthrosis almost cannot be completely cured, attention must be paid to the prevention of this disease, this requires an active and healthy lifestyle. You need to eat right so as not to provoke obesity and normalize metabolic processes.

During sedentary work, be sure to do regular warm-ups. The lumbar area should not be heavily loaded; if it is necessary to lift a load from the floor, then you need to squat, and not do it by bending your torso; when carrying, the load must be distributed evenly between both hands. Every day you need to do gymnastics to strengthen muscle tissue and prevent falls and back injuries.

Arthrosis of the coccygeal-sacral and iliac regions appears rarely and is expressed by moderate symptoms. The limitation of movement is not very noticeable, since these joints are inactive. The pain syndrome is usually tolerable and creates more discomfort than pain. Acute pain indicates the process of inflammation, which can be eliminated with the help of physiotherapeutic measures and medications.

However, during the destruction of the sacroiliac joints, the pressure on the hip joints increases, this is fraught with the development of coxarthrosis, and there may be other complications. Women often take the symptoms of this arthrosis as a sign of gynecological diseases. Therefore, to establish a diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment for arthrosis of the coccyx, a comprehensive examination is required.

Diagnosis of arthrosis of the sacroiliac joint

Like any degenerative-deforming process, arthrosis of the iliosacral joint requires complex diagnostic measures. The patient is prescribed a number of examinations:

general blood test - shows the presence of an inflammatory process;
blood test for specific markers of inflammation;
radiography - reveals narrowing or complete fusion of the joint space, the degree of contact of the articular surfaces, the presence of osteophytes, the condition of the cartilage tissue;
MRI – visualizes changes at any stage of the process, reveals deviations in the structure of ligaments and muscles;
synovial fluid analysis;
densitometry – hardware examination of bone tissue density if osteoporosis or osteomalacia is suspected;
mass spectrometry - blood test for vitamin D levels.

In 96% of cases, bilateral arthrosis of the sacroiliac joints is diagnosed.

general information

Arthrosis of the sacrococcygeal region is a condition when a pathological position of the coccyx bones is formed. It subsequently causes inflammatory damage to nearby nerve endings. The main symptom of the disease is pain. The pain can be regular and spontaneous, dull and intense. Hypothermia and improper lifting of loads can trigger a relapse. Patients suffer from limited movement, which affects the lower region of the spinal column.

Arthrosis of the sacrococcygeal joint