The joints that connect the lower spine to the pelvis are called the sacroiliac joints (a.k.a. SI joints). They serve as a critical junction between the lower body and the spine. Although they are joints, they are not like most other joints in the sense that they are fairly rigid, allowing only a few degrees of movement. Due to trauma or just extra mobility, the SI joints can have too much uncontrolled movement leading to abnormal or stressed joint positions. This is often called sacroiliac joint dysfunction and it can cause significant pain in one or both of the sacroiliac joints as well as the lower back, hip, buttocks. It can also cause sciatica, a painful and sometimes debilitating condition. Symptoms of sacroiliac joint dysfunction can often mimic other back and hip injuries. It can often cause lower back, hip, groin, buttock and sciatic pain. Standing, bending forward, stair climbing and walking typically makes it worse. Lying flat on one’s back can often alleviate the pain. Thankfully, at OmniSpine and Pain Management, SI joint injections are available to effectively diagnose as well as treat sacroiliac joint pain.