Causes of SI Joint Dysfunction
Inflammation of one or both SI joints is known as sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or sacroiliitis. There are a number of possible causes of sacroiliitis, including the following.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis [1] can occur due to years of stress on your joints resulting in wear down of the cartilage. Associated with aging, osteoarthritis can also affect the SI joint, spine, and other joints throughout the body.
Gout
Gout [2], or gouty arthritis, can be traced to the body having high levels of Utica acid. This disease is characterized by joint pain, which can be severe. Although it is most common that gout affects the large toe first, all joints can be affected, including the SI joint.
Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS)
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) [3] is an autoimmune condition that affects the spinal joints and vertebrae, which is characterized by an inflammatory form of arthritis. Severe AS cases not only hurt, but they can also result in new bone growth that unites the joints in the spine.
While AS mostly affects the SI joints, it can also irritate other joints, organs, and, less frequently, the eyes and other body parts. AS is a chronic condition. It could result in occasional minor pain episodes or persistent, more severe discomfort. This condition is more common amongst young men.
Injury
Trauma, including wounds gotten as a result of falls and car accidents, can cause harm to the SI joints.
Pregnancy
The SI joints become more elastic due to the hormone relaxin, which is secreted during pregnancy. This makes it possible for the pelvis to expand in order to support childbirth. The joints become less stable as a result.
Pregnancy-related weight gain and the body’s greater mobility as it adjusts to the baby’s weight might cause pain in the SI joints. This raises the likelihood of SI joint arthritis in pregnant women who experience it with each subsequent pregnancy.
Walking patterns
Dysfunction of the SI joint can result from walking abnormally. If your legs are not the same length, if your knee, hip, or ankle are fused, if you favor one leg over the other out of pain, you may walk unnaturally. Your SI joint pain might go away if you fix these issues.
Some expectant women could walk strangely. Their SI joint pain can go away once women give birth and start walking normally.