Pain
An ISG syndrome (= sacroiliac joint syndrome) is a canting of the sacroiliac joint, which connects the lower spine with the pelvis. The ISG syndrome can lead to severe pain and movement restrictions for the affected persons. Physiotherapeutic treatment can provide relief in most cases.
If the physiotherapist determines that the cause of the discomfort is indeed a canting of the sacroiliac joint, the sacroiliac joint is first brought back into the correct position. This should only be performed by specially trained and experienced physiotherapists or physicians. Subsequently, physical activity is an important factor in relieving pain and preventing recurrence.
The pain in IGS syndrome usually occurs in attacks in the lower back, especially when the affected person performs certain twisting and stretching movements of the upper body. The pain is usually lateral to the spine and can radiate forward to the groin or thigh. In most cases, a slight improvement of the pain is noticeable when the affected person remains in motion.
Those affected often confuse the pain with the pain caused by a herniated disc. A difference that is also used to make the diagnosis is that palpation of the individual vertebral bodies in ISG syndrome does not cause pain. The pain originates only from the sacroiliac joint.
In ISG syndrome, incorrect strain is often the trigger for the problems. Due to the incorrect posture, pain receptors in the sacroiliac joint are increasingly activated, which then causes pain due to the inflammation. It is important that ISG syndrome is treated as soon as possible to prevent a chronic development of the pain symptoms. Therefore, an important point of the physiotherapeutic treatment is also the correction of incorrect posture and the strengthening of the musculature, so that the joint remains stable. The articles “Physiotherapy for hip pain” and “Exercises for pelvic obliquity” might also be of interest to you in this regard
Duration
Normally, the symptoms of ISG syndrome disappear after a few days if the treatment is carried out promptly, so that those affected can move again without pain. However, this can be delayed if patients are already suffering from other spinal diseases or are very overweight. Pregnant women can also continue to experience pain due to the pregnancy, as the cause of the sacroiliac joint slipping out of place has not yet been eliminated.
Nevertheless, even after the pain has subsided, those affected should still refrain from engaging in strenuous sporting activities for a while. When the sacroiliac joint slips out of its stable position, the affected persons usually notice this directly through a shooting pain and the continuation of sports activities is not to be considered at first. Although movement is actually beneficial for the healing process in ISG syndrome, sports activities should be discontinued.
This is especially true for sports that involve abrupt stops and changes of direction, as they place additional stress on the sacroiliac joint. After the acute pain has subsided, patients can begin with light mobilization, stretching and strengthening exercises to strengthen the muscles around the sacroiliac joint and prevent them from slipping out again. Sports that are easy on the joints, such as hiking, swimming or Nordic walking, can also be practiced to stay mobile. After 2-3 weeks, contact sports such as soccer, basketball or handball can be slowly resumed. Nevertheless, it makes sense to continue doing the exercises learned by the physiotherapist on a regular basis so that the joint remains stable and further injuries can be ruled out.
