Sacroiliac Joint DysfunctionA New Perspective

The sacroiliac (SI) joint as a primary source of low back pain is a resurgent, yet controversial subject. In 1905, Goldthwaite proposed that the sacroiliac joint could be a physiologic pain generator independent of pregnancy.1 The role of the sacroiliac joint fell into obscurity over the ensuing decades, with the discovery of such tangible entities (with accepted pathophysiology) as the herniated nucleus pulposus,2 and spinal stenosis.3 Accordingly, there is a paucity of basic and clinical science information available to aid physicians in understanding the biomechanics, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.