Sacroiliac joint syndrome: aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) syndrome is a relevant disorder to study because of the high prevalence of back pain conditions in people of working age. SIJ syndrome is a cause of pain in 15–30% of people with chronic pain in the lower lumbar spine. This review describes the anatomical structure of the SIJ and the aetiological factors that can lead to its dysfunction. Pathogenetic links in the development of this condition are identified separately. The issue of differential diagnosis with other vertebrogenic pain syndromes is considered in detail, and diagnostic tests are presented. The main current approaches to treating SIJ syndrome are described. Interventional methods for treating SIJ dysfunction are described in detail, including radiofrequency neuroablation as an alternative to conservative management.