To prepare for the procedure, you will be positioned on your stomach, and the area over your lower back will be cleaned and sterilized. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the injection site. Once the area is numb, your physician uses fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to precisely insert a thin needle into the SI joint. Once the needle is confirmed to be in the correct position, a combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid medication is slowly injected into the joint space.
The anesthetic provides immediate but temporary relief, while the corticosteroid works over the following days to reduce inflammation and pain. After the injection, you’ll be monitored for a short period before being discharged. The entire procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing most patients to return home the same day.
Patients may experience relief within a few hours to a few days, and pain improvement can last from several weeks to several months. In some cases, repeat injections or additional treatments may be necessary. As part of a comprehensive care plan, physical therapy is often recommended to help strengthen surrounding muscles and improve joint stability.
At University Pain and Spine Centers, with multiple locations in New Jersey and New York, our expert team specializes in precision-guided SI joint injections. We are committed to diagnosing the root cause of your pain and providing targeted, evidence-based treatment options. Contact us today to find out if an SI joint injection is the right solution to help you return to an active, pain-free lifestyle.