Primary Causes of Sacrum Pain
A wide variety of disorders can lead to sacrum pain, including a genetic defect. Some of the sources for sacrum pain include:
- Trauma from high-energy impact fractures or repetitive motion fractures that must be strong enough to cause a major fracture, which is potentially fatal or at least debilitating
- Infections, such as sacroiliac joint infection, pelvic abscesses, and osteomyelitis
- Arthritic or inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis, irritable bowel, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout
- Tumors that metastasize, such as giant cell tumors and sacral canal tumors
- Disc Herniations that cause your bones to compress, placing additional pressure on your sacrum
Sacrum pain doesn’t differentiate much between men, women or races. Most of the causes, except for congenital defects, appear in adults. Trauma that fractures the sacral bone is more common in women, older adults and those with a decrease in bone density. Adults who live a sedentary life or are obese are also more prone to sacrum problems.
Symptoms of Sacrum Pain
The hallmark symptom of a sacrum injury is back pain but the pain2 can have different characteristics, depending on the cause of your sacrum pain. Knowing the severity, onset, location and how it radiates throughout your body helps your pain doctor diagnose the root of the pain. Pain can have specific qualities, such as:
- Sharp and stabbing
- Shooting
- Dull or achy
In case of fractures, the pain is usually localized over the area and is often associated with cuts, bruising and swelling. Sacroiliac joint involvement pain appears most likely over your buttocks and radiates down your leg. It tends to get worse when sitting, lying on the same side or climbing stairs. Most often, the pain radiates to different parts of your leg.
Minimally Invasive Treatment and Prevention Sacrum Pain
At Pain Management NYC, experienced pain doctors have access to the most advanced pain treatment options and diagnostic equipment in New York. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, your treatment may consist of:
- A hip injection of anti-inflammatory pain medication
- Pain-blocking injections
- Steroid injections in your lower back
- FDA-approved prescription pain medications for short-term use
- A pelvic belt
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Minimally invasive surgery and rehabilitation,if your sacrum pain is the consequence of a debilitating injury or disease
The most essential sacrum bone pain treatment is preventing future injuries. Follow these tips at home and on the job:
- Use proper lifting practices
- Maintain good posture
- Get regular exercise that stretches and strengthens your sacrum
- Create ergonomic work areas
- Stop smoking
- Practice good nutrition
- Maintain a healthy weight
But if you do hurt your sacrum or develop a medical condition that forces you to seek relief from sacrum pain, contact Pain Management NYC for a consultation.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Boleslav Kosharskyy, MD
(Pain Management Doctor)