Sacroiliac joint dysfunction in patients with herniated lumbar disc: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pain Management
• Radiology

Background:

• Low back pain is a prevalent condition with multifactorial causes.
• Lumbar disc herniation is a common diagnosis, but associated pathologies are often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) in patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation.
• To identify factors associated with SIJD in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study included 202 adult patients with image-proven lumbar disc herniation and symptoms of lumbosacral root irritation.
• Data collected included demographics, pain characteristics, and physical examination findings.

Main Results:

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction was diagnosed in 72.3% of the study participants.
• SIJD was significantly more prevalent in females, patients with recurrent pain, and those with a positive straight leg raising test.
• No significant association was found between SIJD prevalence and working hours, pain duration, or body mass index.

Conclusions:

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a frequent comorbidity in patients with lumbar disc herniation.
• Clinicians should consider SIJD in the differential diagnosis of low back pain, irrespective of the presence of disc pathology.