Publication Details
Palsson, T. S.,
Gibson, W.,
Darlow, B.,
Bunzli, S.,
Lehman, G.,
Rabey, M.,
Moloney, N.,
Vaegter, H. B.,
Bagg, M. K.,
&
Travers, M.
(2019).
Changing the narrative in diagnosis and management of pain in the sacroiliac joint area.
Physical Therapy, Early View, Online First.
Abstract
The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is often considered to be involved when people present for care with low back pain where the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is located. However, determining why the pain has arisen can be challenging, especially in the absence of a specific cause such as pregnancy, disease, or trauma, where the SIJ may be identified as a source of symptoms with the help of manual clinical tests. Nonspecific SIJ-related pain is commonly suggested to be causally associated with movement problems in the sacroiliac joint(s); a diagnosis traditionally derived from manual assessment of movements of the SIJ complex. Management choices often consist of patient education, manual treatment, and exercise. Although some elements of management are consistent with guidelines, this perspective argues that the assumptions on which these diagnoses and treatments are based are problematic, particularly if they reinforce unhelpful, pathoanatomical beliefs. This article reviews the evidence regarding the clinical detection and diagnosis of SIJ movement dysfunction. In particular, it questions the continued use of assessing movement dysfunction despite mounting evidence undermining the biological plausibility and subsequent treatment paradigms based on such diagnoses. Clinicians are encouraged to align their assessment methods and explanatory models to contemporary science to reduce the risk of their diagnoses and choice of intervention negatively affecting clinical outcomes
Keywords
lumbosacral region, musculoskeletal pain, pain management, patient care, patient education, pelvic girdle pain
